Times of Tunbridge Wells 3rd Jan 2024 by One Media

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HAPPY NEW YEAR: The Pantiles saw around 3,000 people participate in its first New Year celebration since 2019. The event featured live music and a midnight firework display

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Town celebrates successful festive period and looks forward to 2024 By Grace Corcoran

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TUNBRIDGE Wells has reason to be cheerful this New Year, as it has just celebrated its most successful festive season post-Covid. Many of the town’s hospitality venues, arts centres, and businesses experienced a bounce in trade thanks to the lack of restrictions and a much-improved variety of events to enjoy over Christmas and New Year. Cllr Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and RTW Together BID board member said: “Despite the rainy weather, Royal Tunbridge Wells has felt really buzzy over the festive period and there have been lots of great events to go out for.

Hospitality businesses and retailers were pulling out all the stops and I really hope it’s been a successful time for them.” Residents were encouraged to shop local this Christmas and get involved

‘What an incredible Christmas and New Year it has been for Royal Tunbridge Wells!’ with festivities. Free parking on Sundays in December at Royal Victoria Place was introduced by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, and a highlight of the period was the Big Reveal light switch-on,

organised by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together BID. The organisation’s CEO Alex Green commented: “What an incredible Christmas and New Year it has been for Royal Tunbridge Wells! The town has been lively and busy and the ‘Joy to the Wells’ campaign; including over 300 wreaths and the biggest Christmas lights display to date, has brought the whole town together. “Initial anecdotal feedback has suggested trade has been good, people are spending time and money in town and we look forward to reviewing retail and visitor footfall data and gathering

Continued on page 3

INSIDE: London Capital Finance court date announced – page 2

23 EW 20REVEI S 4-5 IN PAG

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

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The Times review of the year

As we begin the new year, Ben Cornwell looks back at how the Times reported on what was happening in and around Tunbridge Wells throughout 2023. From public sector pay disputes and town centre traffic fines to the Coronation of King Charles and festival success stories, it was certainly a very diverse and busy year in local news…

South East Water repeatedly makes the news headlines

STAGE BRIGHT: Trinity Theatre successes last year included its pantomime, Cinderella (inset)

SOUTH East Water featured heavily in the Times last year after summer water interruptions led to a hosepipe ban and cost the company £3million. The bill included £1.5million in compensation and £700,000 for providing bottled water to households and customers. Following the summer shortages, the Water Services NEWHAP Regulation YEAPY R! Authority, Ofwat, launched a probe into South East Water Pride returns to ‘Demand’ leads to Tunbridge Wells water outage in October over its service to customers and record in Speeding heroin dealer nabbed maintaining a water A Winter supply, saying ‘too Full of Wonder Extra wheels and spaces many customers have so sorry!’ Water company: ‘We’re added to town car club AT the start of last year, Trinity Theatre faced been failed too often’ imminent closure but then secured a lifeline by the firm. Ofwat Experts in Charities benefit from through a successful crowdfunding campaign stated that the water Wills & South East Water fund that surpassed its initial £25,000 target within provider is the worst Probate a week. for water supply up as Junior doctorsFrustration continuebubbles to springs Despite having over 700 members and interruptions in strikea leak neighbourhood Wednesday April 19 | 2023 All the news that matters Local, National and International corporate partners, Trinity had suffered a 60 per England and Wales. Wednesday January

Local, National

Times

All the news that

4 | 2023

matters

and International

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Wednesday June 21

| 2023

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

AFTER a year’s hiatus, Tunbridge Wells Pride is back. The non-profit event will be held on August 20 at a venue yet to be announced. Everyone is welcome and it is set to be for families and members a fun day out of the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters. Local businesses, performers or those wanting to get involved can contact pridetunbridgewells@gmail.com

in at the water station CRITIC MP Greg Clark water shortages Pembury during the

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The ban will be in place until further notice and a £1,000 fine will be imposed on those breaking the rules. South East Water said demand had peaked at 678 million litres last week, while “little rain” contributed to limited capacity. However, it has been pointed out that reservoirs in Kent and Sussex were at high capacity, with Bewl Water at 98 per cent. There has also been significant rainfall since the weekend. In his Times column this week (see page 14) Greg Clark MP says: “South East Water A speeding motorist WATER BUT NO INFRASTRUCTURE: has now introduced stopped by officers a hosepipe ban not Bewl Water Reservoir in Tunbridge Wells has because it doesn’t have is currently 98% full been jailed for enough water… but dealing heroin. “Restricting the use because the infrastructure of hosepipes and is not adequate sprinklers to make major incidents in the to get the water from Sebastian sure we Community the reservoir to timeslocalnews.co.uk Wednesday June 14 | 2023 enough News NEWS 7 last six months. VISIT: It is timeslocalnews.co.uk water for our customers’ have not good customers.FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: enough. Haggart, 41, a essential use will FOR EVEN MORE NEWS ensure we can serve “The water pressure heroin dealer who News our vulnerable went off on Sunday NEWSand toLocal customers [June 11] and the temperature was caught after protect the local got up to 32 Demand environment.” degrees, and then people being stopped in started to panic. “That is not good enough. In their performance Ms Peaford explained London Road for statement on that the nearest Although last week was warm, it leakage, South East bottled water stations speeding in May, was no more than we Water said they lost were a 20-minute 92 experience most summers. million litres a day drive away in either was sentenced on a three-year rolling Mayfield or Rotherfield. In my view it shows up the lack of average in 2021/22. “How can they ask at Maidstone resilience of the water elderly people who system on which we can’t drive to walk miles This is a 3.3 per cent Crown Court on rely. leak reduction on in the heat to then South East Water’s their baseline of 95.1 drag back a case of Friday (June 9) CEO David Hinton water?” million litres a day. caught speeding and said: “This situation For exceeding its target, “People can’t flush stopped on London has developed much the toilets so [South South East Water Road. Officers searching more rapidly than last was awarded £1.023million East Water have suggested the vehicle year. using poop bags for its found a bag of heroin “Understandably, we’ve “outperformance”. like dogs and then throwing on the passenger THANKFUL: seen customer it away.” seat. Almost 2,000 residents A petition which has Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani (front, fifth from left)demand increase in line with gained almost 1,000 in the the hotter His home weather, but this has with charity representatives neighbouring villages signatures is demanding inthe Fenshurst Crescent, impacted our ability of Crowborough, that ownership of Tunbridge Wells, was to keep all customers South East Water should later searched and in supply at all times. Rotherfield, Mayfield and Wadhurst may change after a 14g block of heroin “Despite asking for with a street value of customers’ help to use disagree with this performance assessment. “failing to deliver essential water”. £1,880 was seized, water for essential uses Wadhurst which was The petition was started along with a a second only, regrettably voted by Wadhurst mobile phone. Haggart, we’ve now been left to live 2023’ by the Sunday the ‘Best place resident Jutta Wrobel. a “repeat with no choice but She told the Times: Times to offender”, was charged introduce this temporary experienced severe “It is not the outrage with possession outages, with no water at the lack of water use ban of heroin with intent restriction to protect to the rural village for but how [South East to supply, driving customers’ supplies Water] are not doing more than a week. without a licence and across a ceremony in Crowborough. anything and are incompetent. Wadhurst resident Kent and driving without By Sharon Bruce Sussex. Debbie Peaford told South East Water’s Customer Service insurance. He pleaded “The the Times: “Wadhurst “I started the petition long-term guilty forecast to outages is a town of 7,000 all for“We because I didn’t theknow Even though further water were summer Director, Tanya Sephton said: it the rest of charges and people, with the majority know what else to do. was sentenced is for a dry period in the areato this week, good was a very tough time for thewith wholelittle two I just wanted to make of them elderly years and threeexperienced rainfall, and vulnerable. some noise and hoped months, although temperatures with a 20-month causes in Crowborough and surrounds community... it would be picked may reduce HOPE SPRINGS: driving ban up...” “This water problem inbenefited have £50,000 community slightly. place onfrom “We take our role as a responsible water hisarelease. has becomeThe satirical note a regular fund that was set up in the wake of water company seriously and wanted to thank occurrence over the South East Water has last six years, with been approached supply issues experienced by the residents in Crowborough and the two for comment.

South East Water promises

to do all it can to prevent

shortages in future

SEW would on their insurance and to all those claim to settle any costs. work with the insurers Douglas Whitfield apologised customers Meanwhile, household affected. customers by the end He said: “The few remaining should receive compensation following the (SEW) has apologised of January. who were without water SOUTH East Water Wells and by the rapid soon as our Mr Whitfield said: “As to residents in Tunbridge all we can’ to bursts and leaks caused is complete, ice last week had ‘doing analysis of what happened thawing of snow and promised to focus on on December 25. in the future, after what compensation we will then assess their supplies restored prevent supply issues is stable, we in accordance without water in the “Now the water network levels may be applicable thousands were left Standards of happened to with our Guaranteed are analysing what run-up to Christmas. has also now which customers The water company Service. understand exactly to eligible for the for how long. “Compensation payments in the New were impacted and promised compensation be paid customers will then households affected. during the cold not need to contact we Supply issues began Year. Customers do and were ‘We realise the service weather snap in mid-December has us to be eligible. snow and ice about providing the provide our customers “We are passionate exacerbated when the in burst pipes. to the communities best possible service thawed, which resulted fallen short’ not have water Many residents did we supply.” Day. realise the service He continued: “We reinstated until Christmas in Kent and has fallen impact the loss of “We understand the Around 15,000 customers in and we provide our customersfocusing on 3,000 be on local businesses short and we will now water supplies has Sussex, including some were affected for any disruption and we are so sorry around Tunbridge Wells, that saw many Continued on page 3 caused.” by the water issues that had to and even using He said that businesses relying on bottled water issues should to flush their toilets. close due to water supply snow and rainwater Director Last week, SEW Operations

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is urgently looking for a new musical director. Their current musical director, Mark Beesley, is retiring in June after 14

years with the choir. During this time, he “Extremely efficient” helped the ladies to improve their singing skills, while raising thousands of pounds for local charities.

“A wonderful experience”

enjoyment. The choir meets at the United

| 2023

cent drop in box office revenue since the pandemic, which made the writing appear to be on the wall for the much-loved arts venue. However, after getting over the financial hurdle, the theatre has gone on to showcase a number of popular shows this year including its first-ever Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

Call us today on 01892 346480

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to pop music. The musical director post becomes available in September 2023, and fees for the successful candidate will be arranged between them and the Committee. For more information or to apply for the position, come along to a Monday rehearsal or visit: singingforfuncrowborough.com

AS King Charles III was crowned on Saturday May 6, 2023 the joyousness of the celebration was felt not only in the nation’s capital, but right here in Tunbridge Wells, where despite the

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and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) joined the picket lines for another

72-hour walk out, Choir seeks new musical which saw thousands ofdirector Cranbrook patients’ Museum appointments re-scheduled or postponed. celebrates 50 years

IT HAS been 50 years since Cranbrook Shifts Museum opened in Rectory Cottages, From 7am on Wednesday Cranbrook. 14 June until 7am on Saturday 17 To mark the occasion, June, members of the the museum held British Medical Association a reception on June (BMA) did not 17 in the museum attend their scheduled gardens, attended by shifts in an attempt local to force the government and museum volunteers. dignitaries into further negotiations. The volunteer-run museum has exhibits The union is demanding covering local history, a 35 per cent pay farming, traditions, rise for its members, and the Cranbrook which Colony artists. The achieve full pay restoration they hope will museum is free to the to 2008/09 public and levels. Tuesday-Saturday, SINGING FOR FUN: Theopen choir performs at least two concerts a year and over the summer Last week, junior doctors bank holidays. in Scotland rejectedChurch, a pay offer THE Singing for Fun choir in Crowborough Croft Road, Crowborough, a of a 14.5 per cent on uplift

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Trinity theatre back from the brink

We can’t predict the future, but we can help

you plan for it. CLUB TOGETHER: over two years by the efficiently, told Scottish Government, Hill Road ‘spring’ water more theclaim with 71.1 per cent voting belief” asoff A Co Wheels car in Grove they Our specialists advise the a very sociable estate.” to oppose Times: “It’sGovernment the offer. Alice Reece continuesthe to ignore junior By humour and the doctors. and families Wills Yet despite Many doctorsindividuals The BMAon said: have expressed “Junior doctors after use. and the siphon, eternal in one are in of the sign must return the car humour springstheir frustration GOOD atand this the butdespair atinventiveness Government’s were real Government’s in Grove Hill Road, inheritance planning, Lasting a sign response, to of Wells neighbourhood, Other locations are the jokes refusal describing listen. Tunbridge she said the pay offers never have taken two Road and two over a stubborn It should as up, ‘insulting’. By Victoria Roberts bubbling Mount Ephraim, Quarry whole Dr Ishanianger of too Attorney, probate andaction to eventhere’s all this displeasure. rounds Rao, is of strike aPower junior doctor Road. the Times. put a by Tunbridge Wells on Mount Pleasant Maidstonewater leak, residentsattold number on the annoyed because “I’m and Tunbridge THE car club chosen table, and told Cabinet Member for Farmcombe Wells for that of Will and inheritance disputes. Times, explaining NHS corner thenumber Trust has added three at the Cllr Jayne Sharratt, (MTW) told the to be Residents per cent Carol Times: “I am so Road reported a a five water!” Borough Council (TWBC) pay offer... beggars Sustainability, said were using the vehicles, Farmcombe disappointed Carbon Reduction and belief. and Close that although people that on this is happening new locations and additional and residents reduce Water (SEW) transport to South Eastagain, for my patients the scheme helped to get water into buckets have made visible siphon andleak clear flow, offering residents pay-as-you-go for my patience! to“We that junior when active travel of water was still doctors a quantity as the leak continuedare looking for well as flexible car hire carbon emissions even “We are still 14, but June wheelie caring the fullbins, for people’s lives throughout town, as restoration of the flow transport did not go of our in to make a feature the road. underfunded the scheme operates. pay, which has options and public they anddecided flowing seen adown undervalued in other cities where 26 per cent cut.” quite a lot of positions, and we demand as it lasts. But theofSecretary where needed. longrestoration is a lot of anger, as pay “There – forfull of State that the car for stressed. andthe discovery and improved working Social Care, Steve sheHealth “That’s why it’s so brilliant and its appeared, hailing A sign annoyance,” conditions. Barclay calls 14 2023, that gap, the BMA’s Pilot scheme that water bills Spring’ on June demands “If the Government news report club can help bridge recent A step the ‘Farmcombe truly values the NHS, with Wells is a far and“out of what they 40 per cent is as simple as then they willand themselves areacross “Tourists come from popularity here in Tunbridgewillingness to the country could rise claiming: recognise receiving”. Using a Co Wheels vehicle that junior doctors crystal clear waters.” using the website to are navigating an overwhelmed He said the to cover the cost of tackling the sewage testament to our residents’ wide to bathe in its registering and then needs “to and the satire Government of climate change as an hour. The insecure socialJust sure the target of balance the crisis and consequences embrace that concept.” to make system book – even for as little of the that needs NHS with also “from demands full weeks to set up an locally by TWBC in support. of the tourists getting Environment Secretary inflation–down It takes up to three a figure was not lost on any project was introduced andformer growing the verification and sign-writer had further “After years of cuts pilot scheme with just the anonymous economy”. account, including driver Eustice dismissed – towide”, far and our healthcare George 2014 as a one-year 121-123 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells smartcard. Drivers must services Mrcontact eight cars available. Barclay said they must discussion among be ignored please by thecontinued: “To receiving the driver Government, fuelled WhatsApp two cars, but now has move from their I am not 000 0365. under 25 must surprised that we haveEast Water: demand of 35 per cent can be found at added. www.tmfamilylaw.co.uk Carol be at least 21, and those and that South not reached0333 The newest locations neighbours, these aWater in deal, CEO] David licence with no points but I am optimistic strikes Station Road and are “extremely [South have a clean driving tryour hosepipe ban was introduced “Orthat The disappointing”. valueEast Amherst Road, Goods will be enquiry@thomasmansfield.com recognised, and I fully Last week, MTW had on June 26, with South £271,620).” or endorsements. (salary the and tellSussex Hintonsupport Kent to patients Warwick Park. strikes toa range of issues Farmcombe join the car club, visit: until then.” only come to the hospital either hybrids or added the blaming To find out more or Water if they Someone has even All Co Wheels cars are East were Monday evening during term time, from ‘seriously The doctors’ union Planning ● Wills weather conditions”, ill and need cars, and occupy a Maps. Estate Google BMA co-wheels.org.uk tosays urgent“extreme Spring medical it “beggars including small petrol-engine 7pm to 9pm. care”and effort, Carol to callDisputes community home” and “high demand” designated parking space, where drivers 111 for medical from Singing for Fun performs at least two & Inheritance Explaining theWills treatment. “working FAMILY engineer husband, concerts a year, as well as at a range of Startup, whose retired for the new ban. to siphon Powers of Attorney ● hole Court of Protection into the local events. As an eclectic group, the choir Ian, put a hosepipe EVENT has a wide-ranging repertoire, from classics PROUDLY PRESENT

Weather doesn’t deter local residents from celebrating the Coronation of King Charles

Friday 28th April

Beer & Burgers

community at the end of last year. surrounding areas for their understanding. South East Water was joined by Wealden “There’s no better way to support the MP Nusrat Ghani to distribute the funds to tireless work of these great causes that are charities, with each organisation receiving right at the heart of the community. By Lilly grants towards their projects. “A big thank you to them all,” she added. Croucher Nusrat Ghani said: “I welcome this WALK OUTS took additional grantplace of £50,000 that is being at Tunbridge Share Wells Hospital distributed our fantastic local againamongst last week as junior doctors Groups and organisations were selectedwentcharities. on strike for the third timeand by a judging panel after being invited to this year in “[They] provide vital services a continuing dispute apply for a share of the fund. pay and and support for Wealdenover communities conditions. Cheques were then awarded to the will benefit from this much-needed Junior charities and their representatives at doctors funding boost.” from Maidstone

DE E UR SI AGFEAT

Times

Visiting motorists bear the brunt of huge traffic fines

IN -PTY 20ER OP PR

NEWSROUND: Don’t miss the Times of Tunbridge Wells’ review of 2023. P4 & 5

weather, 18 – 21 MAY communities came

CONFUSING: The town centre signage that is causing problems for drivers

Town traffic ban leads to fines of more than £200k in 30 days

together, and businesses Hever went all out to celebrate the Castle & Gardens momentous occasion. The TN8 7NG

hub of all activity was the By Lilly Croucher town centre, where RTW Together BID put together a Confusing signs covered £5* Royal Weekend’ of in duct tapereported and held up that more than ‘Right BACK in April the Times with zip ties have been CRAFT23 criticisedhad online been issued to events in celebration of the £200,000 worth of fines motorists travelling along the restricted bus lane new King and Queen which See website for full details enabled thousands of people on Mount Pleasant Road in just 25 days. The to enjoy free activities and traffic ban is part of a joint scheme by Tunbridge events over the Coronation Wells Borough (TWBC) and Kent INSIDE:Council Doctor shortages cut deep – Page 2 County weekend. Council (KCC) in which drivers are fined for using the bus lane between 9am and 6pm. Buses, taxis, and goods delivery vehicles are exempt from the ban. FINES issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) to motorists travelling along the restricted bus lane on Mount Pleasant Road have totalled £210,000 in just 25 days. Despite this massive tally, confusion still reigns among drivers over the exact nature of the restrictions. Three thousand Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £70 each were issued to drivers who used the stretch of road in front of the war memorial between March 20 and April 13. The PCNs follow 11,000 warning letters that were issued by TWBC to vehicles contravening the restrictions between February 20 and March 20. The traffic ban is part of a joint scheme by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

(TWBC) and Kent County Council (KCC) in which drivers are fined for using the bus lane between 9am and 6pm. Buses, taxis, and goods delivery vehicles are exempt from the ban.

When asked what the Borough Council will do with the money collected by the fines, TWBC told the Times: “Any surplus is ringfenced for transport-related projects.” Walking and Cycling Champion Cllr Peter Lidstone (Lib Dem) told the Times:

“The execution of the scheme has been poor. The pedestrian crossing at Monson Road is wider and less safe than before. “There is still a significant volume of traffic on Mount Pleasant Road, and the space does not feel like a ‘public realm’. “There has also been a lot of confusion around the signage and enforcement.” Confusing signs covered in duct tape and held up with zip ties have been criticised online. The large sign on York Road approaching Mount Pleasant Road has been partially obscured with grey tape, leaving drivers baffled as to which direction they are allowed to drive. On Twitter, Cllr Nicholas Pope posted a picture of the taped-up sign and commented: “I am not impressed with

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Continued on page 3

CIF_Hever_Spring_23_194x45.indd 1

03/04/2023 10:07

Changes in TWBC Cabinet and a new Borough Mayor

Fined A Freedom of Information request at the end of May revealed that since full enforcement commenced on April 1, 2023, only 34 per cent of the penalties issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) were to vehicles registered in the Borough. This means a majority of those fined for using the bus gate in front of the War Memorial are motorists who likely live outside the Borough, possibly in neighbouring districts or counties.

MAY’S local elections resulted in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) continuing with No Overall Control (NOC), as parties prepare for the ‘all out’ vote expected this May. Last year’s vote saw 16 seats – onethird of the total of 48 – up for grabs in the Borough elections. Despite national reports of significant Labour and Lib Dem gains at the expense of the Conservatives, the effect was muted in Tunbridge Wells.

HUGH’S HERE: Mayor Patterson (centre)

However, there were changes at the Council later on in the month at the annual Full Council meeting. Leader of the Council, Councillor Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem) announced who would be joining him in his new Cabinet and Councillor Hugh Patterson was appointed as the town’s newest mayor. Mayor Patterson served as a Councillor between 2012 and 2016 and stood again in 2021.

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CONTACTS EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 NEWS REPORTER GRACE CORCORAN | 01892 240626 newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uk NEWS REPORTER BEN CORNWELL | 07494 453524 newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uk SUB EDITOR SIMON MUGFORD simon.mugford@onemediauk.co.uk DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON STUBBS jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.uk ADVERTISING 07557 847841 robin.singer@onemediauk.co.uk facebook.com/timeslocalnews www.timeslocalnews.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TF Salomons Estate, One Warwick Park Hotel and Bewl Events & Waterpark are owned by the Elite Leisure Collection, which also owns One Media, publisher of the Times.

CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times Local News we strive to deliver fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections. If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor. One Media and Creative UK Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB.

THE Tonbridge Line Commuters (TLC) shared a statement with the Times that they are ‘concerned’ for the future of railway, amid the news that ‘regulated’ rail fares are set to increase by up to 4.9 per cent on March 3. The Department for Transport, which announced the news on December 22, stated that this year’s increase is capped below inflation. Typically, annual increases to ‘regulated’ rail fares, such as season tickets and off-peak tickets, are linked to the previous July’s retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation, plus an additional one per cent. This is the second year in a row that the Department for Transport has decided to limit fare price increases below July’s RPI rate, which

The rise is announced after passengers have faced disruption to services due to strikes by rail workers over the past 18 months was nine per cent in 2023. The rise is announced after passengers have faced disruption to services due to strikes by rail workers over the past 18 months. Price rises of 4.9 per cent will see the cost of an annual season ticket from Tunbridge Wells to London Terminals hit £5,828 – up by around £272. Travelling from Tunbridge Wells to London via rail could start to become unviable for commuters in the future should season ticket fares continue to rise year on year. Chair of the Tonbridge Line Commuters Rob Mansfield believes that while the government intervention seems like a ‘passenger friendly move’, it is still a 4.9 per cent increase at a time when many are feeling the squeeze. Mr Mansfield told the Times: “Passengers are

paying the price for a sustained period of short-sighted/bad decisions by the Government/Rail industry and many things are now coming home to roost. In the last year alone, we have had three industrial disputes that have dragged on for far too long. Two of those have been resolved but the ASLEF (drivers union) dispute shows no signs of ending. “The ‘Networker’ trains are long overdue replacement, but progress seems to have stalled on this. The infrastructure looks fragile, and we are seeing lots of service disruption as a result,” he added. Mr Mansfield explained that overcrowding on

Trial of Tunbridge Wells minibond firm to begin this month By Grace Corcoran

Police officers bitten and assaulted in TW rail station attack By Archie Lawrence

A DATE for the court case over the London Finance and Capital (LCF) mini-bond scandal has been scheduled for this month, five years after the company collapsed. The civil case has 10 defendants including Tunbridge Wells businessman and former local Conservative Association chairman, Simon Hume-Kendall, Mr Hume-Kendall’s wife Helen Hume-Kendall and LCF Chief Executive Michael ‘Andy’ Thomson over the alleged fraud.

Defendants Administrators Evelyn Partners will be acting on behalf of the LCF bondholders at the High Court of Justice at the end of this month. The reading week for the Judge will begin January 11 and the first sitting is due to take place January 29. The forthcoming case is expected to run for 22 weeks but could conclude earlier if the defendants opt to settle. The Times has reported extensively on the collapse of the mini-bond firm, which left over 11,000 bondholders out of pocket, with lost investments including pension pots and life savings totalling £237million. LCF collapsed in January 2019 after the city watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), froze its bank accounts because of its

trains is becoming increasingly common, particularly in the evening, but there is ‘no funding available’ to increase services. “It is clear that the Government looks at the railway as a spreadsheet with direct money in and direct money out the only considerations. Their efforts to cut costs, such as axing ticket offices or removing trains, are ill-thought-out and lack strategy. “The end result is that it feels like the passenger is being blamed for everything and expected to continue paying up, regardless of the service offered. We do not think this is a sustainable way to run a railway and the lack of strategy is concerning for the future.”

HELEN AND SIMON HUME-KENDALL marketing practices for mini-bonds. The Tunbridge Wells firm was offering returns as high as eight per cent and selling the products as being similar to ISAs, although they had none of the same protections. Earlier this year, Mr Thompson appeared in court and was given a 10-month sentence, suspended for two years, at Southwark Crown Court.

A man has been arrested in Tunbridge Wells following a serious assault. Officers were called to Tunbridge Wells railway station at 5.35pm on Wednesday December 27 following reports of a domestic incident. Sussex Police and Kent Police also attended. The male allegedly assaulted several people in Battle, including a Sussex Police Officer, before escaping. Two British Transport Police (BTP) Officers were then seriously assaulted at Tunbridge Wells train station after attempting to stop the suspect. One officer was punched and bitten, and another officer was strangled. Both were treated at hospital and offered welfare support. A man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of assault against an emergency worker, assault, and criminal damage. He has also been charged with strangulation and actual bodily harm on the BTP officers and has been remanded in custody for court. According to the BTP, he was not interviewed as he was too violent.

Junior doctors set to strike again

Junior doctors in England are to stage the longest strike in NHS history at a time when the service is at its “most stretched”, an expert has said. The industrial action, from 7am on Wednesday January 3 to 7am on Tuesday January 9, comes at one of the busiest times of the year. The NHS has warned that the strike action, which could see up to half of the medical workforce on picket lines, could cause ‘the most difficult start to the year the NHS has faced’. Tunbridge Wells Hospital has said if you have not been contacted to please attend your appointment as planned.

The Bull pub looks for new licensee

Country pub The Bull on Frant Road is looking for a new licensee. Shepherd Neame’s Director of Tenanted Pub Operations, Greg Wallis, told the Times: “We can confirm that we are currently recruiting a new licensee to take over The Bull in Tunbridge Wells. It is a characterful traditional pub in the heart of the town, with great potential.” The Times reached out for comment from The Bull’s current landlord.

Bedgebury blasted by Storm Henk

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest closed yesterday (Tuesday January 2) due to the severe winds of Storm Henk. The Forest, which is located in Goudhurst, closed from 2pm yesterday afternoon due to the yellow weather warning for high winds and heavy rain.

Decorative Living Fair to return in 2025

The Decorative Living Fair will be taking a sabbatical in 2024 as Caroline Zoob steps down as co-organiser of the fair. The news was announced on The Decorative Living Fair Instagram page. The team behind the creative exhibitions fair said: “Thank you to everyone who came to the fair in May and to all our fabulous exhibitors who helped to create such a successful fair. This was Caroline Zoob’s last year as co-organiser of The Decorative Living Fair. “We cannot thank Caroline enough for all her incredible hard work, vision, and creativity over the last seventeen years. She will be much missed as an organiser, but we’re pleased to say she intends to return as an exhibitor with her stitching colleagues in the Workshop Tent.” The fair is scheduled to be returning to Eridge Park on May 9-10, 2025.

intel from attractions, theatres and hospitality in the coming weeks. It is really encouraging to see people supporting local traders and embracing the ‘love local’ mission.” In terms of traditional seasonal entertainment residents of the Borough were treated to a choice of two pantomimes after Trinity Theatre took the bold creative and financial decision of putting on its first-ever pantomime, Cinderella, after a challenging 2023. Chief Executive, Nick Mowat exclusively told the Times: “All of us involved at Trinity are delighted with how well Cinderella and our whole Christmas season has been received. “The responses from audiences of all ages have been amazing. It’s clear that everyone enjoyed the mix of high-quality music and singing, great comedy and visual spectacle with a thumping good story in our intimate space where even those at the back had a great view and felt a part of what was happening on stage.” The Assembly Hall Theatre (AHT) stuck to tradition with its annual panto, with ex-Eastenders actress Rita Simons topping the bill in Beauty and the Beast. It also oversaw a very successful SKATE season which this year included a Ferris wheel for the very first time. A spokesperson for AHT told the Times: “We’re incredibly proud to have been able to deliver such a fun and diverse selection of activities across the Christmas period. From an amazing pantomime to the beautiful ice rink, magical Father Christmas grotto, enchanting Ferris wheel and not forgetting Little Owl and the Christmas Lights at The Amelia, there was something for the whole family this Christmas.” They added: “It’s fantastic that so many people came to visit our festive events and there is of course a big thank you to all our partners and sponsors for helping make this happen!” The festivities culminated in a brand-new

event: the New Year’s Eve Party on The Pantiles which helped to bring a bounce to businesses trading on the historic walkway. Conceived and managed by event managers for The Pantiles, Cordis Creative, 2024 was brought in with a night of entertainment, which included live DJ performances, plenty of food and drink on offer from independent businesses, and a fireworks display lighting up the sky at midnight. According to organisers, over 3,000 people attended the event, which was the first New Year’s event on The Pantiles since the pandemic. As the clock ticked down to midnight, The Pantiles was buzzing with excitement and business owners alike were thrilled with the success of the evening. Owner of the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Julian Leefe-Griffiths said: “We were so lucky with the weather just giving us the perfect gap in which to welcome in the New Year. “It’s been a funny year, it felt like recession in the early months of 2023 but weirdly we did an incredibly busy summer and a great autumn, so fingers crossed that trend continues and we look forward to a fantastic and prosperous year.

Picture: Nick Davis

The Amelia Scott welcomed its 500,000th visitor in December when a group of local children from The Wells Free School visited the building to see the Christmas show, Little Owl and the Christmas Lights. Acknowledging this achievement, Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development saying: “This is a really incredible milestone to reach. In 18 months, the Amelia Scott has become a place for everyone who visits the borough and at the same time our residents in need who rely on council services and receive support from our dedicated, hardworking team.”

Continued from front page

“It will be good to see a few new additions coming to The Pantiles over the next few months and we’re already looking forward to Jazz coming back in May plus some new events keep us entertained.” Daniel Hatton, owner of Hatton’s, who offered a selection of winter warmers, including mulled wine, mulled cider and mulled apple juice, along with a hearty beef brisket chilli on the night, told the Times: “The event was a roaring success. It was extremely busy, and everyone was in great spirits. As the only New Year’s Eve event locally, it’s great for independent businesses on The Pantiles, the town and for the hospitality industry.” Adam Peters-Ennis from Charlotte’s in the Pantiles told the Times: “We couldn’t have hoped for a better New Year Eve at Charlotte’s. We sold all the tickets, were full by 7.30pm and our guests all stayed until past midnight, many until closing at 2am. We welcomed many of our lovely regulars and met an array of new faces who all helped make NYE 2023/4 a huge success!”

Tony Hudgell becomes youngest British Empire Medal recipient By Ben Cornwell TONY Hudgell, a double amputee from West Malling, Kent, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the prevention of child abuse. Tony, 9, is believed to be the youngest-ever recipient of an honour, a record previously held by fundraiser Tobias Weller, who was 11 when he received a BEM two years ago. He lost both legs due to injuries inflicted by his birth parents, who were jailed for 10 years in 2018. He has since gone on to co-found the Tony Hudgell Foundation and helped raise more than £1.7million for charity during the pandemic.

HONOURED: The Princess of Wales with Tony Hudgell (left) during a visit to London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital

Picture: Ian Vogler/PA Wire

More than half a million visitors to The Amelia Scott

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Backing As previously reported in the Times, Tony inspired the introduction of ‘Tony’s Law’. The petition, which received initial backing by Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge & Malling called for updated guidelines allowing tougher sentencing for people convicted of child cruelty. It was eventually enacted in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and included potential life sentences for child abusers in England and Wales. A family spokesperson said that Tony had taken the news of the BEM in his stride. “Tony, Paula, Mark and the Hudgell family are thrilled by the news of Tony being the youngest person ever to be honoured on the New Year Honours list and recognised this weekend. “Tony launched his foundation over two years ago supporting and helping many other children in need of wheelchairs and vital equipment.

Tony really is a great role model to other children and is going from strength to strength, and all he wants to do is help people. “The Hudgell family feel very honoured Tony has been recognised after mother Paula also received her OBE earlier this year and say a big thank you to the Cabinet and the royal family for their continued support over the last five years.” Government Lead Non-Executive, Michael Jary, from Tunbridge Wells, was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his work as a public servant. Mr Jary, who has been a strategy advisor for over 35 years, was appointed to this role by the Prime Minister in March 2022 having previously worked as lead non-executive director at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and

Communities. Chief Executive of Compaid Trust, Stephen Elsden, was also named in this year’s awards and received a BEM for services to charity and to people with disabilities. Mr Elsden, who lives in Tunbridge Wells with his wife and daughter, has over 30 years’ experience in the voluntary sector. He shared in a LinkedIn post that he was ‘humbled’ to be named in the King’s New Year’s Honours list. He said: “My award of a BEM is due to the work of everyone who has served at Compaid in my 15 years at the helm. Nobody can lead alone. I will hold my head high when I leave the charity in March 2024, knowing that thousands of disabled and older people in Kent have enjoyed a better life thanks to our vital services.”

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The Times review of the year

South East Water repeatedly makes the news headlines

STAGE BRIGHT: Trinity Theatre successes last year included its pantomime, Cinderella (inset)

SOUTH East Water featured heavily in the Times last year after summer water interruptions led to a hosepipe ban and cost the company £3million. The bill included £1.5million in compensation and £700,000 for providing bottled water to households and customers. Following the summer shortages, the Water Services NE HA Regulation W PP YE Y AR Authority, Ofwat, ! launched a probe into South East Water Pride returns to ‘Demand’ leads to Tunbridge Wells water outage in October over its service to customers and record in Speeding heroin dealer nabbed maintaining a water A Winter supply, saying ‘too Full of ces Wonder Extra wheels and spa many customers have ’re so sorry!’ b Water company: ‘We added to town car clu been failed too often’ AT the start of last year, Trinity Theatre faced by the firm. Ofwat imminent closure but then secured a lifeline Experts in Charities benefit from stated that the water through a successful crowdfunding campaign Wills & South East Water fund provider is the worst that surpassed its initial £25,000 target within Probate for water supply a week. as up bles bub Junior doctorsFru stration con tinueood to spri interruptions in Despite having over 700 members and strngs ikea leak neighbourh y April 19 | 2023 All the news that matters Local, National and International England and Wales. corporate partners, Trinity had suffered a 60 per Wednesday January

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4 | 2023

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OF TUNBR IDGE WELLS

Wednesday June 21

| 2023

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AFTER a year’s hiatus, Tunbridge Wells Pride is back. The non-profit event will be held on August 20 at a venue yet to be announced . Everyone is welcome and it is set to be for families and members a fun day out of the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters. Local businesses, performers or those wanting to get involved can contact pridetunbridgewells@ gmail.com

in at the water station CRITIC MP Greg Clark water shortages Pembury during the

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The ban will be in place until further notice and a £1,000 fine will be imposed on those breaking the rules. South East Water said demand had peaked at 678 million litres last week, while “little rain” contribute d to limited capacity. However, it has been pointed out that reservoirs in Kent and Sussex were at high capacity, with Bewl Water at 98 per cent. There has also been significant rainfall since the weekend. In his Times column this week (see page 14) Greg Clark MP says: “South East Water A speeding motorist WATER BUT NO INFRASTRU has now introduced stopped by officers CTURE: Bewl Water a hosepipe ban not in Tunbridge Wells has Reservoir is currently because it doesn’t have been jailed for 98% full enough water… but dealing heroin. “Restricting the use because the infrastruct of hosepipes and ure is not adequate sprinklers to make major incidents in the to get the water from Sebastian o.uk sure we have the reservoir to timeslocalnews.co.uk Wednesday June 14 | 2023 enough Community News NEWS 7 last six months. VISIT: It is timeslocalnews.c water for our customers not good customers.FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: enough. Haggart, 41, a ’ essential use will FOR EVEN MORE NEWS ensure we can serve “The water pressure heroin dealer who News our vulnerable went NEWSand toLocal customers [June 11] and the temperatu off on Sunday was caught after protect the local Demand environment.” degrees, and then people re got up to 32 being stopped in started to panic. “That is not good enough. In their performance Ms Peaford explained London Road for statement on that the nearest Although last week was warm, it was leakage, South East bottled water stations speeding in May, Water said they lost no more than we were a 20-minute 92 experience most summers. million litres a day drive away in either was sentenced on a three-year rolling Mayfield or Rotherfield In my view it shows up the lack of . average in 2021/22. “How can they ask at Maidstone resilience of the water elderly people who system on which we can’t drive to walk miles This is a 3.3 per cent Crown Court on rely. leak reduction on in the heat to then South East Water’s their baseline of 95.1 drag back a case of Friday (June 9) CEO David Hinton water?” million litres a day. caught speeding and said: “This situation For exceeding its target, “People can’t flush stopped on London has developed much the toilets so [South South East Water Road. Officers searching more rapidly than last was awarded £1.023mill East Water have suggested the vehicle year. ion for its using poop bags found a bag of heroin “Understandably, we’ve “outperformance”. like dogs and then throwing on the passenger THANKFUL: seen customer it away.” seat. Almost 2,000 residents A petition which has Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani (front, fifth from left)demand increase in line with gained almost 1,000 in the the hotter His home weather, but this has with charity representatives neighbouring villages signatures is demanding inthe Fenshurst Crescent, impacted our ability of Crowborough, that ownership of Tunbridge Wells, was to keep all customers South East Water should later searched and in supply at all times. Rotherfield, Mayfield and Wadhurst may change after a 14g block of heroin “Despite asking for “failing to deliver essential with a street value of customers’ help to use disagree with this performance assessmen water”. £1,880 was seized, t. water for essential uses Wadhurst which was The petition was started along with a a second only, regrettably voted by Wadhurst mobile phone. Haggart, we’ve now been left to live 2023’ by the Sunday the ‘Best place resident Jutta Wrobel. a “repeat with no choice but She told the Times: Times to offender”, was charged introduce this temporary experienced severe “It is not the outrage with possession outages, at use the ban lack with of water no water of heroin with intent restriction to protect to the rural village for but how [South East to supply, driving customers’ supplies Water] more than a week. without a licence and across a ceremony in Crowborough. anything and are incompeteare not doing Wadhurst resident Debbie Kent and driving without Sussex. By Sharon Bruce Peaford told nt. South East Water’s Customer Service insurance. He pleaded “The the Times: “Wadhurst “I started the petition long-term guilty forecast to outages is a town of 7,000 all for“We because I didn’t theknow Even though further water were summer Director, Tanya Sephton said: it the rest of charges and people, with the majority know what else to do. was sentenced is for a dry period in the areato this week, good was a very tough time for thewith wholelittle two I just wanted to make of them elderly years and threeexperienced rainfall, and vulnerable. some noise and hoped months, although temperatu with a 20-month causes in Crowborough and surrounds community... it would be picked res may reduce HOPE SPRINGS: driving ban up...” “This water problem inbenefited have £50,000 community slightly. place onfrom “We take our role as a responsible water hisarelease. has becomeThe satirical note a regular fund that was set up in the wake of water company seriously and wanted to thank occurrence over the South East Water has last been six years, approache with supply issues experienced by the residents in Crowborough and the two for comment. d

South East Water promise

s to do all it can to

prevent shortages in

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SEW would on their insurance and to all those claim to settle any costs. Douglas Whitfield apologised work with the insurers customers Meanwhile, household affected. customers by the end He said: “The few remaining should receive compensation following the (SEW) has apologised who were without water SOUTH East Water of January. Wells and by the rapid soon as our Mr Whitfield said: “As to residents in Tunbridge all we can’ to bursts and leaks caused is complete, ice last week had ‘doing thawing of snow and promised to focus on analysis of what happened 25. after future, December compensation the on in what their supplies restored prevent supply issues we will then assess is stable, we in accordance without water in the “Now the water network thousands were left levels may be applicable Standards of happened to are analysing what run-up to Christmas. with our Guaranteed has also now which customers The water company understand exactly Service. to eligible for the for how long. “Compensation payments in the New were impacted and promised compensation be paid households affected. customers will then during the cold not need to contact we Supply issues began Year. Customers do r and were ‘We realise the service weather snap in mid-Decembe rs has us to be eligible. snow and ice about providing the provide our custome “We are passionate exacerbated when the in burst pipes. to the communities thawed, which resulted best possible service fallen short’ not have water Many residents did we supply.” Day. realise the service He continued: “We reinstated until Christmas in Kent and has fallen impact the loss of Around 15,000 customers in and “We understand the we provide our customers 3,000 be focusing on on local businesses short and we will now Sussex, including some water supplies has affected disruption were any for around Tunbridge Wells, and we are so sorry 3 that saw many Continued on page by the water issues caused.” that had to and even using water businesses bottled that on He said relying issues should to flush their toilets. snow and rainwater close due to water supply Director Last week, SEW Operations

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Weather doesn’t deter local residents from celebrating the Coronation of King Charles seeks new musical director CranbChoir rook Muse um celebrates 50 years

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you plan for it. CLUB TOGETHER: over two years by the efficiently, told Scottish Governmen Hill Road ‘spring’ water more t, belief” asoff theclaim with 71.1 per cent voting A Co Wheels car in Grove they estate.” Our specialists advise the a very sociable to oppose t Times: “It’sGovernmen the offer. Alice Reece continuesthe to ignore junior By humour and thedoctors. and families Wills Many doctorsindividuals Yet despite The BMAon said: have expressed “Junior doctors after use. and the siphon, eternal in one are in ess of the sign must return the car humour springstheir frustration GOOD atand this the butdespair atinventiven Government’s were real Governmen in Grove Hill Road, hood, inheritance planning, Lasting a sign t’s response, to of Wells neighbour Other locations are the jokes refusal describing listen. It should Tunbridge she said the pay offers never have taken two Roberts as up, Quarry Road and two ‘insulting’. too over a stubborn Victoria By Ephraim, e. bubbling Mount is whole Dr Ishanianger of Attorney, probate andaction to eventhere’s all this displeasur rounds Rao, aPower of strike junior doctor Road. the Times. and put a by Tunbridge Wells on Mount Pleasant Tunbridge Wells NHS Maidstonewater leak, residentsattold number on the annoyed because “I’m and Tunbridge table, THE car club chosen Trust (MTW) joined and told Cabinet Member for Farmcombe Wells for that of Will and inheritance disputes. NHS Times, explaining corner thenumber Trust has added three the (MTW) told the at the Cllr Jayne Sharratt, picket lines for another to be Residents per cent Carol Times: “I am so e Road reported a a five water!” Borough Council (TWBC) pay offer... beggars 72-hour walk out, Sustainability, said were using the vehicles, Farmcomb which saw thousands disappointClose Carbon Reduction and belief. and that although people ed that on reduce this is happening new locations and additional -go transport of patients’ and Water (SEW) scheme helped residents to South Eastagain, appointments re-schedul for my patients “We have made to get water into buckets visible siphon andleak clear offering residents pay-as-youflexible car hire the for my patience! to flow, that junior ed or postponed. when active travel of water was still doctors a quantity as the leak continuedare looking for well as “We are still carbon emissions even 14, but June wheelie caring the fullbins, for people’s lives throughout town, as restoration of the flow transport did not go of our in to make a feature the road. underfunded pay, which has the scheme operates. options and public IT HAS been 50 years they anddecided flowing seen adown undervalue in other cities where 26 per cent dlasts. positions, since Cranbrook cut.” quite a lot of Shifts anger, it of needed. and as lot But a we where long the is demand as pay restoration Museum opened in “There – forfull ofSecretary of State for Health and that the car Rectory Cottages, andthe discovery From 7am on Wednesda improved working Social Care, Steve “That’s why it’s so brilliant and its e,” she stressed. appeared, hailing Cranbrook. A sign annoyanc y 14 June until conditions Barclay scheme 2023, calls gap, 14 bills . the that Pilot June water BMA’s on 7am on Saturday 17 bridge that demands “out of “If the Governmen be Spring’ news report club can help To mark the occasion, June, members of the recent A step the ‘Farmcom t truly values with Wells is a far and what they the NHS, the museum held 40 per cent is as simple as British Medical Associatio come from then they willand themselves areacross “Tourists popularity here in Tunbridgewillingness to a reception on June the country could rise claiming: recognise receiving”. n (BMA) did not Using a Co Wheels vehicle that junior doctors 17 in the museum attend their scheduled crystal clear waters.” using the website to are navigating an overwhelm He said the to cover the cost of tackling the sewage gardens, attended by testament to our residents’ shifts in an attempt wide to bathe inedits registering and then t needs “to local and the satire Governmen to force the governmen as an hour. The ces of climate change insecure social system sure the target of balance the crisis and and museum volunteers dignitaries consequen embrace that concept.” t into further Just to make book – even for as little of the that needs NHS with also nt Secretary “from demands . full negotiations. weeks to set up an locally by TWBC in support. getting of the tourists Environme inflation–down The volunteer-run museum It takes up to three a figure was not lost on any andformer project was introduced growing the verification and sign-writer has exhibits The union is demanding had further “After years of cuts pilot scheme with just the anonymous economy”. covering local history, account, including driver Eustice dismissed – a 35 per cent pay towide”, far and our healthcare George 2014 as a one-year 121-123 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells farming, traditions, rise for its members, smartcard. Drivers must services Mrcontact eight cars available. Barclay said they must discussion among be ignored please by thecontinued and the Cranbrook Colony which they hope will : “To Governmen receiving the driver fuelled WhatsApp two cars, but now has t, I am move from their 25 must not artists. The at under achieve 0365. found those full be surprised demand 000 and pay can 0333www.tmfamilylaw.co.uk added. restoration to 2008/09 of 35 per museum is free to the that we s, Carol be at least 21, haveEast cent and that not Water: South The newest locations neighbour reached a deal, public and these levels. David licence with no points but I am optimistic strikes Water CEO] Station Road and was introduced in are “extremely Tuesday-Saturday, SINGING FOR FUN: Theopen choir performs at least two concerts a year [South have a clean driving tryour hosepipe ban “Orthat The disappoint valueEast and over the summer Amherst Road, Goods will be ing”. Last week, junior doctors enquiry@thomasmansfield.com recognised, and I fully Last week, MTW had bank holidays. on June 26, with South £271,620).” in Scotland or endorsements. (salary the and tellSussex Hintonsupport patients Warwick Park. e Kent to strikes the rejectedChurch, toa range of issues Farmcomb join the car club, visit: until then.” a pay offer come to the hospital THE Singing for Fun choir in Crowborough Croft Road, Crowborough, a either hybrids or added only of a 14.5 blaming To find out more or per cent on Water if they Someone has even uplift All Co Wheels cars are East were ”, a is urgently looking for a new musical Monday evening during term time, from ‘seriously The doctors’ union Planning ● Wills weather conditions ill and need Maps. Estate ine cars, and occupy Google BMA co-wheels.org.uk tosays urgent“extreme medical Spring it “beggars including director. Their current musical director, 7pm to 9pm. demand” small petrol-eng drivers effort, Carol y care”and “high where and to call space, communit home” 111 the for medical from Mark Beesley, is retiring in June after 14 Singing for Fun performs at least two Wills & Inheritance Disputes Explaining treatment. “working designated parking FA engineer husband, years with the choir. During this time, he concerts a year, as well as at a range of M Startup, whose retired for the new ban. to siphon ILY Powers of Attorney ● hole Court of Protection into the helped the ladies to improve their singing local events. As an eclectic group, the choir Ian, put a hosepipe E PRESENT skills, while raising thousands of pounds has a wide-ranging repertoire, from classics

I - Y 20ERT OP PR

Times

Visiting motorists bear the brunt of huge traffic fines OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

community at the end of last year. surrounding areas for their understanding. South East Water was joined by Wealden “There’s no better way to support the MP Nusrat Ghani to distribute the funds to tireless work of these great causes that are charities, with each organisation receiving right at the heart of the community. By Lilly grants towards their projects. “A big thank you to them all,” she added. Croucher Nusrat Ghani said: “I welcome this WALK OUTS took additional grantplace of £50,000 that is being at Tunbridge Share Wells Hospital distributed our fantastic local againamongst last week as junior doctors Groups and organisations were selectedwentcharities. on strike for the third timeand by a judging panel after being invited to this year in “[They] provide vital services a continuing dispute apply for a share of the fund. pay and and support for Wealdenover communities conditions . Cheques were then awarded to the will benefit from this much-needed Junior charities and their representatives at doctors funding boost.” from Maidstone

“Extremely efficient”

for local charities.

“A wonderful experience”

Eclectic

Singing for Fun is a small, non-auditioned ladies’ choir of almost 40 members that was formed with the aim of singing together for enjoyment. The choir meets at the United

“Exemplary service”

Photograph: Lilly Croucher

AS King Charles III was crowned on Saturday May 6, 2023 the joyousness of the celebration was felt not only n day in the nation’s capital, but right here in Tunbridge 28th April Wells, where despite the on - 8pm weather, 18 – 21 MAY communities came & Burgers together, and businesses brewery! Hever Town traffic ban leads to fines Castle went all out to celebrate the Gardens occasion. The of more than £200k in 30 days &momentous hub of all activity was the By Lilly Croucher town centre, where RTW Together BID put together a Confusing signs covered £5* Royal Weekend’ of in duct tapereported and held up that more than BACK in April the Times ‘Right with zip ties have been CRAFT23 criticisedhad online been issued to £200,000 worth of fines events in celebration of the motorists travelling along the restricted bus lane new King and Queen which See website for full details on Mount Pleasant Road in just 25 days. The enabled thousands of people traffic ban is part of a joint scheme by Tunbridge to enjoy free activities and Wells Borough (TWBC) and Kent events over the Coronation INSIDE:Council Doctor shortages cut deep – Page 2 County Council (KCC) in which drivers are fined for using weekend. the bus lane between 9am and 6pm. Buses, taxis, and goods delivery vehicles are exempt from the ban.

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FINES issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) to motorists travelling along the restricted bus lane on Mount Pleasant Road have totalled £210,000 in just 25 days. Despite this massive tally, confusion still reigns among drivers over the exact nature of the restrictions. Three thousand Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £70 each were issued to drivers who used the stretch of road in front of the war memorial between March 20 and April 13. The PCNs follow 11,000 warning letters that were issued by TWBC to vehicles contravening the restrictions between February 20 and March 20. The traffic ban is part of a joint scheme by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

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03/04/2023 10:07

Changes in TWBC Cabinet and a new Borough Mayor

HUGH’S HERE: Mayor Patterson (centre)

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March 8 | 2023

CIF_Hever_Sept_23_194x45.indd 1

By Lilly Crouc her

NEW data shows that three Tunbr schools rank idge Wells among the lowes comes to accep t in Kent when ting children it from poorer backgrounds. Tunbridge Wells Girls' Gramm (TWGGS) and ar School The Skinners' School are jointthird, while Tunbr for Boys (TWGS idge Wells Grammar Schoo B) placed fourth l inclusive of 37 grammar schoo as the leastBBC analysis ls of a Department in the county. (DfE) report for Education found pupils from disadv that only four per cent of admitted to TWGG antaged backgrounds were last year, while S and The Skinners' Schoo five l were given places per cent of deprived childr en at TWGSB.

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patients and THOUSANDS of hospital Tunbridge Wells are school students in by further strike likely to be impacted as both doctors and action this month, pay and working teachers walk out over conditions. hospital Patients attending week face disruption appointments this Maidstone and as junior doctors from (MTW) Trust NHS Tunbridge Wells second day of a continue into their 96-hour walk out. doctor at MTW Dr Ishani Rao, a junior again because, said: “We are striking was no effort made unfortunately, there to improve working by the Government the pay achieve to conditions,

work hard for, or to restoration that we changes to ensure long-term systematic achieve patient safety. conflicting “It’s been pretty morally

to the healthcare how valuable we are should be invested system and that we to retain junior in properly in order

doctors.” to impact a The strike is expected appointments this quarter of a million first 72-hour walk week following the saw 175,000 hospital out in March which appointments disrupted. Association (BMA) The British Medical have seen a realsaid that junior doctors per cent since 2008, term pay cut of 26.2 a 35 per cent pay and it is asking for restoration. pay increase to achieve announced On March 23, the BMA would take place, further strike action April 11 until 7am believe that we need from 7am on Tuesday for a lot of us, but I that current to take a stand to say inadequate. 3 Continued on page conditions are completely realises “I hope that the Government

‘I hope that the Government realises to how valuable we are the healthcare system be and that we should invested in properly’

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THE future of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) was Castle placed in the hands of Tunbridge Wells Borough & Gardens anning Council (TWBC) in October after it struck a deal Contractor to acquire the lease from the current owners. h & Safety al Services The Council had owned the freehold of the mmercial LIVE AND KICKING: town’s shopping centre since it opened in Continued on page 3 rtgages Local band The Ackerleys on stage at The Forum on Sunday night ging and October 1992, but has now acquired the THOUSANDS of people descended on Tunbridge pment Loans Plans afoot to enhance town’s Wells over the August Bank Holiday for atourism leasehold Tax Credits take a train to our town, alight at the Amelia Scott Centre in 2022. £5 from current holders British Land, By Lilly Croucher station and wander down the High Pat Pledger from Hamburg, who have owned the site since taking it over weekend of local music andtheygood making surance Street to The Pantiles, may find food, Germany, told the Times of their WHILE tourism in Tunbridge Wells CRAFT2023* a little lost if they follow battle to find the tourist information. is booming and businesses have from Hermes in 2018. The local authority last Local &themselves oneFramptons, of the festival’s most theLive lone sign outside “I needed a Tunbridge Wells street reported ayear’s return to pre-pandemic indicating ‘Tourist Information’, map and thought the local Tourist levels this summer (Times, August t’s talk leading nowhere. lovers and Office might be able to help. 9), both visitors and residents alike – but believes owning both the freehold and lease will successful ever for music See website for full details 2 280000 The sign is a relic of times past, “I was directed to the Amelia Scott have been left a little disorientated, 2 before the ‘Tourism Office’ was asking: “Where do we go?”alike. The Local & Live music 9.30am – give it greater control over RVP’s future and view Continued on page 3 cehub.money businesses relocated from The Pantiles to the For those visitors who decide to 5.30pm Daily this wee k… Grainvolving the deal as a ‘commitment by the Council to the festival, three days of free,results live music, mINSIDE: mar sc Local schools react to GCSE ho ols adpeople mittingtolothe town centre and its future prosperity’. brought a be reported 14,000 num westown to r of depr ivedscene. pupils in Kent t celebrate the local music Now in its 18th year, Local & Live founder Paul Dunton works tirelessly every summer to ensure this free event continues to support local artists and the community. Paul said: “Making it happen every year is an exhausting process, but the result is always worth it.” Sourcing

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MANY workers across the public sector took industrial action throughout the year in a bid to receive improved pay and working conditions. After months of striking, the Prime Minister announced a new pay offer on July 13, with increases of between five and seven per cent offered to teachers, police officers, prison guards, armed forces as well as doctors and consultants. Although pay settlements were agreed with several groups, including nurses and teachers, industrial action is still being We’re right by you waged on several fronts, including by junior doctors and rail workers, with the latter marking the first on a national scale since the 1980s.

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The train drivers’ union Aslef announced on December 1 that its members had voted to continue strike action for the next six months, extending their current strike mandate. However, The RMT union announced they would not be taking part in train strikes until at least spring 2024, having agreed to end an PADDOCK WOOD 01892 833456

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pockets of depriv Improve ation, it isn't pops into the Tonbridge Gramm minds of Kent the first town that adopting new ar School was folk when contemplatin lowest in the guidance such ranked the g the county's county – admit pass rate of the as lowering the socio-economic hardship. ting only two cent of poore 11 Plus exam r children to per children and for “On this basis, the school. Children from creating a quota disadvantaged disadvantage of While TWGS data with that the conflation of county-wide measured by d background B gives low priorit places. of those receiving s are disadvantage some distortion a singular town, can presen support, which Pupil Premium d children, TWGG y to of the realities t is linked to free priorit S gives high debate. y to children surrounding The DfE report school meals receiving Pupil this ed that in Kent, . when consid Premium “If legislation children aged ering 24 per their cent is application. 11-15 come from of Skinner’s Schoo enable new grammever to be brought forwa The backgrounds, deprived l also allocates rd to ar schools to yet grammar depriv ten places for then ed be childr schoo I think took in, on averag developed, en ls e, 9.37 per cent in the county concentrate it would be worthwhile threshold every with a lower test score disadvantage to of year. these efforts d children. AIM is a charit in those lessadvantaged Arthur Ponso y parts of the count nby, Director from disadvantagein Kent that supports childr explained. y," Mr Ponso of The Right Company, who en d background nby Tuition teaches and Plus test. s taking the “This offers financ to deprived childr 11 ial relief gramm is the key difference that en The sitting number of will help the told the Times ar schools : "Whilst Tunbr 11 Plus exam, 2010 and 2022 pupils in education betwe vehicles for social to rediscover their capac contrary to popul idge en rose by 11 per ity as ar belief, does Wells, cent in Kent, TWGSB admit There has been mobility.” as ted 26 per cent indeed posses s Skinners' 35 more pupils admission policiesome improvement in per cent more, and THE TIMES TALK s with 72.5 per but TWGGS took two per cent S TO EDWARD cent of schoo more pupils only ls over WES Grammar schoo the last 12 years. SON AT THE SKIN Edward Wesso n, Headmaster NERS’ SCHOOL secondary schoo ls educate just five per cent School, told of the Times: “We of The Skinners' across the count l pupils in the UK at 163 it as not every give preference schools children with ry. pupil offered Pupil to The selective a place will come here. number of childre Premium and as a result exam proces the s encourages to pay for privat n on Pupil Premiu “Data suggests parents than doubled e m has more since I worke into these schoo tuition to get their childr have lower attain that Pupil Premium childre d here, from per cent to now en ls, making them n ment and by two nearly five per for poore unobtainabl achiev defaul r students. e lower marks t they increase in numbe cent, with the e , so we try to As well as loweri help by giving provide extra “We have only rs in years 7-10. ng prefer the pass ential including quota had this policy mark and treatment in admission policy three or four for the last our s, ,” Mr Wesson years, so most now have online a third of grammar schoo “We are also explained. of [these] studen are lower down ls running a in ts such as it easier for those practice tests available to of disadvantage the school, but the numbe a football tourna series of activity days make who don’t have r tutoring. d children is ment private disadvantage increasing. “We have a quota d primary pupils to encourage The Department of ten per cent grammar schoo to come to group, which per year for Education l. is going to be are working have said they “We support established for to encourage coming Septe the charity AIM ‘all schools includ mber, but we this them gramm by ar allowi schoo to use our premis expect we won’t ng ing ls’ to improve fill es for free to processes for the admissions mock exams.” carry out disadv Tonbridge Gramm antaged children. ar School, TWGSB have been approachedTWGGS and for comment.

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DESPITE the sun’s late appearance at Calverley Grounds, thousands of people descended on Tunbridge Wells over the bank holiday for a weekend of local music and good food, making this year one of the festival’s most successful ever – for music lovers and businesses alike. The Local & Live music festival, involving three days of free, live music, brought a reported 14,000 people to the town to celebrate the local music scene. Now in its 18th year, Local & Live founder Paul Dunton works tirelessly every summer to ensure this free event continues to support local artists and the community. Paul said: “Making it happen every year is an exhausting process, but the result is always worth it.” Also enjoying the festivities were local businesses, who saw a spike in

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Sharon A PETITIO Bruce family, ‘Owen’s allergen N for clearer labellin s on restaura legally require Law’, a campaig g debated nt menus of n to restaura in informa nts to include efforts of Parliament, thanks is to be tion about but the the family the face law allows the top to the Crowbo of 14 means’. them to rough, who of Owen Carey, in Parliam their menus, will allergens on do it ‘by reaction of died from ent on May be debated any “We want . Current an allergic that to be Owen Carey, ly, restaura 15. writing’ changed provide .” nts are 18, experien to ‘in anaphy this Owen’s laxis (anaphy ced they choose, information permitted to Law would eating a in any Natasha lactic shock) includin grilled chicken ’s Law, which‘piggyback’ on g verbally format after Burger at 2021, requirin to only. came into the O2 Arena breast at Byron g foods April 22, force in site, such in London 2017. Owen Requirem as sandwic prepackaged on aware of list of ingredie hes, to carry on his allergie had made staff ent Owen’s that the nts. Law would a full s but was That law chicken allergen not told make the had been butterm s on Ednan-L followed the death menus listing ilk, an inquest marinat and require aperous a legal requirem of of Natasha ed in heard. e, who made aware serving into his convers death of sesame had not been ations about staff to initiate ent Owen had the bread seeds custome been celebrat of birthday rs. It would allergies with It is policy a sandwich she baked into ing his 18th at the time register all also had eaten. for only create a of anaphy Now, followin of his 100,000 those nationa laxis Owen’s g a petitiondeath. l ‘conside or more signatu petitions with father Paul deaths. by the Carey res momen red’ for t, restaura said: “At the a Parliam to be whereas to provide nt owners entary debate, the ‘Owen’s 12,889. informa are Law’ petition Howeve tion about obliged r, the petition had allergen map shows parliamentary s, petition across the support for the entire country .

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IN May, ‘Owen’s Law,’ a petition advocating for clearer allergen labelling on restaurant menus, was debated in Parliament. The initiative, driven by the family of Crowborough resident Owen Carey, who tragically died from an allergic reaction aged 18, aimed to make it a legal requirement for restaurants to include information about the top 14 allergens on their menus. Currently, restaurants can provide this information in any format, but ‘Owen’s Law’ seeks to mandate written disclosure and prompt serving staff to initiate allergy discussions with customers. The proposed law would also establish a national register of anaphylaxis deaths. Last month, the petition received further backing from board members of the Food Standards Agency, who will recommend a change in legislation to Government ministers.

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FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE PICKET LINE: ‘It’s business as usual’ says NHS Trust as junior doctors walk out for three days this week in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay increase and improved conditions By Lilly Croucher JUNIOR doctors at Tunbridge Wells hospital will be walking out again today, March 15, in their third day of strikes over pay and working conditions. The action is part of a 72-hour national strike by the British Medical Association (BMA) who are demanding a 35 per cent pay rise, which they hope will achieve full pay restoration to 2008/09 levels. Junior doctors have been on the picket lines outside Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone Hospitals since Monday, March 13, to campaign for better working conditions and salaries as they feel ‘underpaid and undervalued’.

Dr Ishani Rao, a final-year junior doctor at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), told the Times: “I am striking to show solidarity with my

‘The pay is not fair for the job we do but it’s not just about the money; we want better support, time off and equipment’

and MTW is the best A&E, but we are starting to feel the pressure from being short-staffed, inadequate equipment or it being in the wrong place, and working extra shifts and overtime. “The pay is not fair for the job we do but it’s not just about the money; we want better support, time off and equipment. “Doing medical on call, I was working 13-hour shifts, four nights in a row. I felt exhausted because we were constantly short-staffed, sometimes we would only have two doctors. We would often admit defeat before we went in that night.”

18-month dispute over pay and accept a backdated salary increase of five per cent. Junior doctors have planned further strikes LATEST: BBC journalists in Tunbridge Wells set to strike today – Page 3 from today (January 3) to January 9. The six full days of strikes will be the longest single period of industrial action in the history of the health service, according to the union. colleagues who are not paid enough, supported by the government, or respected by the patients. “I love working in emergency medicine

Continued on Page 2

ABC Cinema site plans move on

ly payments

drivers taking card He told the Times payments. “Sometimes we of encouraging is that they often : “One of the existing proble paid by the [card] have to wait up to a week more drivers end up being ms payme to get somew companies with to take card nts. delivered to friends waitin here withou some of my g up Luke Everitt, “You get to the t mobile reception. “There are also to six weeks for a transa Cabinet Memb end of ction. can’t Sustainability er for Enviro Tunbridge Wells many cold spots around take it [the payme the journey and then they nment, and where nt].” can understand Carbon Reduction, said: there is no signal In the Times customer’s phone “I how frustrating poll on the a taxi is cash or our card reader it is to find that per cent of respon last week, we found that usually aroun only – 84 these dents said they d Mayfield and are with your journe when you just want to experienced had Crowboroug “You then have get on y. ‘cash only’ taxis, h. to drive comm with aroun which makes many online ents calling for d finding signal the the Council to drivers have annoyed. They meter go up and custom make all a card reader ers get have also been . Financial One commenter people’s phone times when s have run out “Under existin cards made mandasaid: “Come on TWBC, get people have of charge g or forgotten their obliged to accep Council policy drivers are soon! It’s obviou tory, as well as cash, and PIN number,” Conlon explai not t do it sly Ms ned. decision on their card payments. It is a busine Mr Berry of Cleggy infuriating people.” part which I’m ss ’s Taxi explai influenced by sure is to 30 per cent ned: “Around the of drivers take 25 incur. If a passen transaction fees they might cards and the prefer cash payme Disadvantage rest means of payme ger does not have an altern s where they can nts unless it is a long journe “There have ative nt the driver make a good y been cases when their rights to would be within profit. “At the mome the payment people disput decline the fare. nt the Counc with the bank e “That said, the il does not requir taxi drivers to as an ‘unrecognise transaction’ take cards, but e and d recently writte Council’s Licensing Team Carriages must all Hackney – it has happe they can claim the money n has to the taxi driver abide by the ned to aroun back those who do licensing rules s encouraging out by the Counc d three driver know.” not accept card laid il. sI and to advise payments to “I think more Former Tunbr them that driver do so, drivers should idge Wells counc flexible and s should be take cards who maintains take people to illor David Scott, with no issues – but I an understand why – I do cashpoints if necessary to because they transport, pointe interest in bus and taxi avoid they don’t lose money.” d out the disadv “We will contin leaving them stranded. The Borough antages of taxi Council is aware develop practi ue to work with local driver said it has writte of the issues cal taxi licens s to and n to the taxi ing that reside would expec drivers in the t, while balan nts hope cing drivers’ needs in a difficu busine lt financial time ss for us all.”

Taxis told to accept card payments Fire services tackle blaze

FOLLOWING a report published by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) in September saying it had received ‘a growing number of complaints from members of the public who were unable to get a taxi late at night’, as drivers couldn’t accept card payments, a consultation was held in November over making it a requirement for taxi drivers in Tunbridge Wells to accept card payments. Councillors on the licensing committee voted to make it mandatory for drivers to accept card payments or other cashless methods. The new regulation for taxi drivers in Tunbridge Wells came into force as of

at Kingstanding Way FIRE services were called to a blaze on an industrial estate in Tunbridge Wells in June after flames had engulfed a car and an electrical substation, leaving at least 40 nearby businesses without power. Four fire engines from Kent Fire & Rescue Service attended a fire at 12.21pm on Thursday June 1, involving premises inside the Decimus Park industrial

estate in Kingstanding Way. Neighbouring businesses were evacuated, and the power was shut off by UK Power Networks for safety reasons. By 2.40pm, the fire had been put out by crews, who remained on the scene to cool the remaining hotspots and assist electrical engineers, while officers from Kent Police closed the road.

IN December, Retirement Villages Group (RVG), the retirement living company developing the former ABC Cinema site on Mount Pleasant Road, announced it is on track to have ‘boots on the ground’ this month on the site, which has been vacant for more than two decades. The 1.5-acre site is set to become a £72million ‘extra care’ retirement facility, known as ‘Thrive Living’ after securing planning permission in November 2022. The new ‘later living’ village will be an eight-storey building boasting 166 homes and is expected to also include retail space, restaurants, a café, an outdoor courtyard, and leisure facilities, complete with a pool, gym, and spa.

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Wednesday January 3 | 2024

ABC Cinema site development design sparks online criticism MOCKING UP: The satirical image of the proposed development

By Ben Cornwell MEMBERS of a local Facebook group shared their strong views on the social media site about the proposed design of the retirement village, ‘Thrive Living’ set to be constructed on the former ABC Cinema site on Mount Pleasant Road. The discussion came after resident Patrick Gillan shared his views on the development plans in the ‘Tunbridge Wells’ Facebook group on December 21, alongside images containing the proposed building design and an altered image featuring The Shard in the same location. LION’S SHARE: Tonbridge Lions Past President Cllr James Lark and his wife Jill Lark (as Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge & Malling BC) visit the Barrel Organ. They were welcomed by Lions President Gordon Hill and his wife Peggy and the chairman of the Barrel Organ Committee, Lion Mike Fenn.

Tonbridge Lions Christmas Barrel Organ Collection raises £3,200 TONBRIDGE Lions Club raised £3,200 in this year’s Christmas Barrel Organ Collection. Tonbridge Lions, the first Lions club formed in the country, began the tradition in 1952 and has since rolled out the barrel organ each year to raise money for deserving causes in the local area. This year the proceeds went towards providing 90 hampers assembled by Lion Allan Mort and his wife Jackie from donated and purchased food items, with any surplus from the Christmas Collection used to help fund their popular annual party in February for senior citizens who live alone. The hampers were delivered by local organisations that are in

close contact with deserving people and families. The hampers ranged in size from single people to families of six, seven, eight and the largest for a family of ten. A club spokesperson told the Times; “We are grateful to Hilden Oaks School, Leigh Primary School and Hugh Christie School Sixth Form for their contributions towards these much appreciated seasonal hampers.” Chairman of the Barrel Organ Committee, Mike Fenn added: “We are delighted to have reached £3,200 and would like to thank all those members of the public who so generously donated to our Christmas Appeal and wish everybody a safe and happy New Year.”

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Iconic Mr Gillan shared his Facebook post with the Times, which said: “The original visionaries who imagined and designed Tunbridge Wells were risk-takers pushing the boundaries in architecture which made Tunbridge Wells the iconic town it is. “So why approve a development that plunders those original architectural ideas to create something which is a poor copy? This dull pedestrian development does nothing to inspire me. I don’t look at it in awe and wonder, instead it makes me feel flat. “People say anything is better than what was there before and in my opinion that is exactly what we got – anything.” The post resulted in an open discussion and thread containing 169 comments, with many residents offering similarly critical opinions on the proposed plans on Mount Pleasant Road. The majority of comments not in favour of the eight-storey building design highlighted the building’s size, the ‘bland and unimaginative’ design and questioned the need for another

retirement village in the town. A common remark within the thread was that the proposed designs were not ‘in keeping’ with the architecture of the town. One user commented, “Awful, isn’t it? Lazy, cookie-cutter architecture. No sense of place. You wonder if the architect had ever actually visited TW.” Another post read, “That’s such a shame. It used to be a beautiful cinema. All that beauty in an amazing building is gone.” With the site having been neglected for over 23 years since the ABC Cinema closed in 2000 and with multiple failed proposals being submitted for the centrally located plot, there was an element of scepticism among other users over whether the project would ever be finished. However, there were a few comments which were less critical of the plans suggesting that there was a need for ‘progress’ in the town and that it would be an improvement on the current view of ‘closed down shops and hoardings’. As previously reported by the Times in December, Retirement Villages Group, the retirement living company developing the former ABC Cinema site, are scheduled to start working on the site later this month.

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Partner, CooperBurnett LLP

Owner, Stampede

THANK YOU To Belvoir Tunbridge Wells, Berry & Lamberts Solicitors and Hilden Park Chartered Accountants for purchasing staff memberships in December. thetn c a r d.c o m | i n fo @ thetn c a r d.c o m | @ thetn c a r d

MEET

PENNY

WO O D

TO U R S

Meet us at Notcutts Garden Centre, Pembury • Wednesday 10th January • Wednesday 17th January • Friday 19th January Experience the magic of quality day trips and holidays with Pennywood Tours, where personalized customer service is our top priority. Visit our stand in the restaurant and find out how you can enjoy your life to the full.

Take a look at some of the amazing range of locations we are going to in 2024 Holidays

Day Trips

The Great Champagne Tour

Kew Orchid Festival

Spring in the Isles of Scilly

Rye and Romney Marsh Wools

Great Gardens of Central Ireland

Arundel Castle & Denmans Garden

Colditz and Corso Garden

Windsor Castle and the Savill

• Quality day trips and holidays • Group Leader to assist you • Super-deluxe coaches • Four star hotels • Must see destinations

Neil Jackson Managing Director

...Call us for a brochure and discount on your first booking and quote ‘Times of Tunbridge Wells’* * Offer Valid up to and including 29th February 2024. These offers cannot be combined with any other offers

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t: 01622 434 981 e: info@pennywoodtours.com

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NEWS

Local News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

Competition launched to help young people keep safe online By Elena Percy CONTINUING their efforts to improve the lives of women and girls the Soroptimists of Tunbridge Wells (SITWD) are holding a competition aimed at young people on the theme of ‘Keeping Safe Online’. The Soroptomists’ previous initiatives include the publication of the report ‘Spotlight on Safety’, participation in the ‘Reclaim the Night’ walks and contributing to Greg Clark’s bill on sexual harassment.

Design “Entrants to this competition will need to be between 11 and 18 years of age and be in secondary education in the Boroughs of Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge and Malling. Entrants in years 7 to 11 inclusive are invited to design a poster depicting what they believe to be the key messages to convey on the subject of online safety. Sixth-form entrants are asked to produce a leaflet giving guidance to people younger than themselves about how to stay safe online,” a spokesperson told the Times. Three prizes of £100, £50 and £25 will be awarded in each of the two categories.

SAFETY FIRST: Kent Police’s District Inspector Ian Jones and and Greg Clark MP at a previous event co-organised by The Soroptomists The deadline for submissions is February 11, 2024 and entries will be displayed in the ‘Pop In’ space at Royal Victoria Place on February 15, 16 and 17, enabling members of the public to vote for the winner. Winners will be announced and prizes presented at an International Women’s Day event at The Forum on March 10, 2024. To apply go to: sigbi.org/tunbridge-wells/current-activities

Thomson Snell Local dog trainer offers & Passmore advice to XL Bully owners wishes you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024 BULLY FOR YOU: Trainer Dorka Tomankova and friend

By Grace Corcoran AS of last weekend (December 31), laws were introduced to muzzle the American Bully XL or ‘XL Bully’ and keep the dogs on a lead. It will also be illegal to breed, sell and abandon these dogs. Owners of an XL Bully have less than four weeks (until February 1) to apply for an exemption certificate to keep their dogs or face potential criminal proceedings and an unlimited fine. The dogs, which are described as ‘large’, ‘strong’, ‘muscular’ and with a ‘blocky head’, are being added to the Government’s list of banned breeds following a rise in dog attacks over recent years.

Attacks Until 2021 there were about three deaths a year, but there have since been 23 involving the breed. Various animal organisations oppose breed-specific legislation, including Dogs Trust, and the British Veterinary Organisation. Both campaign for owners to be educated and to seek dog training in order to prevent attacks. One such trainer of the XL Bully is Tunbridge Wells-based Dorka Tomankova, a dog trainer who has previously worked in zoos and circuses in the Czech Republic and includes bears, tigers and lions in her coaching repertoire. Dorka has received seven XL Bully requests since the ban was announced on September 15, and she thinks well-bred dogs that are ‘properly trained and socialised’ are not dangerous.

She said: “Sadly, the sudden popularity of XL Bullys has led to overbreeding, often ending up in unsuitable homes. “They require patience, consistency, time, confidence and a bit of experience from their owners and sometimes the guidance of a dog-training professional.” Dorka, who is currently training two XL Bullies, believes the ban ‘might be a short-sighted solution to a much larger problem of overbreeding and insufficient dog-training skills and education.’ She added: “There is a small percentage of dogs in any breed that are more prone to aggression due to poor breeding or health-associated issues. However the majority of the problems we see today stem from the lack of appropriate education. “Using reputable dog trainers from the moment people make the decision to bring a four-legged companion into their family can help eliminate many of the problems we see today.” Dorka believes the key to success with any breed of dog is to be ‘proactive’ in order to ‘prevent bad habits from forming in the first place’. She explained: “I would like to encourage anyone who is considering adding a new furry friend to their family, to find a good dog trainer who really understands the science behind what affects a dog's learning well before their puppy arrives. “Being proactive about our new dog's education can prevent bad habits from forming in the first place and make the journey towards a well-mannered furry companion much easier.” To contact Dorka for dog training services visit aledok9.co.uk

TRAVEL

Enjoying Life

Discover an Unforgettable Journey with Pennywood Tours: Breaking the Mould of Coach Travel

Are you looking for a safe way of enjoying trips but thought travelling by coach wasn’t for you? Perhaps this company will challenge your preconceptions; they did mine! Pennywood Tours is breaking the mould by offering a few simple things that many companies appear to have forgotten: customer care, telephone access and booking, paper brochures that can be posted directly to you, someone to speak to if you have questions and a leader on trips to ensure everything runs smoothly. Higher Quality Coach Travel Pennywood Tours is redefining stereotypes associated with coach travel by using modern, clean, very high specification vehicles with a lovely ride, wherever you sit. Although there is a loo on board, comfort breaks are roughly every 90 minutes to

two hours, to stretch your legs, get a hot drink and use the facilities. This will give you confidence to drink the free water on board to keep you fresh during the journey. By using good quality (normally 4*) hotels you should be at least as comfortable as at home, hopefully even more so. Most of the time there is a choice of board at hotels so you can control your budget and choice of diet. You can park your car for free at the pickup point, and they Like Travelling with Friends even tip the driver for you, so With Pennywood Tours, you you don’t even need to worry will find yourself amidst a set about this! of like-minded individuals, fostering a quiet sense of

Unhurried and Low Pressure Let go of hurried tourist clichés and relax into the blissful tempo of leisurely exploration with Pennywood Tours who give ample time and freedom to dive deeper into your chosen tour, to savour each moment and immerse into the beauty and culture of each destination without rush.

community and camaraderie and forming bonds over shared experiences. It’s never just travel; it’s a warm journey among friends. Live Your Life Now! Time flies by faster than expected so it’s important to live in the present and embrace the joy of travelling while you can. Most of us entertain – all

too often – the idea of doing things ‘sometime in the future’, and it would be a shame to reach a point where you can only say ‘I wish I’d done that’. So, as the heading suggests, we should live our lives now! Conclusion With a very large number of loyal followers and repeat travellers, Pennywood Tours seem to be doing lots of things right and they invite you on a journey that promises to be more than just a holiday or day out. Call Pennywood Tours on 01622 434 981 to choose your next grand adventure of unforgettable experiences.

READER OFFER!

£100 off any of these Holidays*

The Great Champagne Tour Spring in the Isles of Scilly Great Gardens of Central Ireland Corso & Colditz *These offers apply to new customers and can’t be used in conjuction with any other offer.

BUSINESS

Local News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

The Times Business Awards 2024

THIS year’s Times Business Awards promises to be another showstopper, with two new categories and former Strictly star-turnedbusiness entrepreneur Brendan Cole as the celebrity host. This event is also a fantastic opportunity to network at one of the region’s biggest business socials of the year. This year’s gala dinner will take place in the Victorian Theatre at Salomons Estate on Thursday March 14. There are ten categories available to sponsor, including two new ones for 2024: Food & Drink Hero and Retailer of the Year. Retailer of the Year recognises outstanding contributions made to the local area by a retailer. Food and Drink Hero is for the best companies in food and drink, with a focus on those who source locally and sustainably. For the first time in the event’s BRENDAN COLE history these two new awards will be voted for by the general public. how being a family business has had a Simply go to timesbusinessawards.co.uk. And positive impact on its achievements. given the fact that each category is so diverse Other Times Business Awards celebrate there is certainly an award that’s suitable for environmental achievements, creativity, and every business trading in the town and Borough businesses of varying sizes. of Tunbridge Wells to sponsor. Royal Tunbridge Wells Together has been confirmed as sponsor of the Outstanding Business of the Year category, but there are still Positive opportunities to sponsor the remaining awards These include Creative Business of the Year, listed here. Green Business of the Year and Charity of the Apart from the aforementioned two new Year, which returns for the second year and categories being voted for by the public, the honours local charities and not-for-profit winners in all the others will be chosen by a organisations who play a positive role in the life panel of independent judges. of our area. These are drawn from a range of sectors, with In Best Family Business of the Year, judges each selected to bring their unique insight into will be acknowledging businesses that show not only what makes a good company, but also

JENNY KITCHEN

AWARD CATEGORIES

EACH category is available for sponsorship. For details please contact Robin Singer at: robin.singer@ onemediauk.co.uk

2024

1. START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2. CREATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 3. CHARITY OF THE YEAR 4. GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 5. BEST FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR what makes business good for the local area. Launching in 2016, the glitzy awards ceremony showcases the best businesses the area has to offer and welcomes over 200 guests to the gala evening. Over the years celebrity presenters have included former MPs Michael Portillo and Edwina Currie, Radio DJs Ken Bruce and Nick Ferrari as well as Strictly’s Anton du Beke. This year we look forward to welcoming Brendan Cole who will host the evening at Salomons Victorian Theatre on March 14. Commenting on his involvement Brendan said: “I am pleased to have been asked to present the Times Business Awards for 2024. “I’m looking forward to being part of honouring the best businesses that have triumphed over the past year.”

6. BEST BUSINESS 1-25 EMPLOYEES 7. BEST BUSINESS 26+ EMPLOYEES

! YEAR 8. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LDTHE SOOF 9. RETAILER OF THE YEAR 10. FOOD AND DRINK HERO For all of the details about this year’s Times Business Awards, visit the event’s dedicated website: timesbusinessawards.co.uk

Managing rental expectation

PETE KENYON

Amplifi launches free climate and community event for business owners AMPLIFI, a local organisation designed to unite Tunbridge Wells businesses around climate and the community, has just announced it is hosting a free business event at The Amelia Scott, in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday January 31. The brainchild of Pete Kenyon, a Partner at Cripps and Jenny Kitchen, CEO of Yoyo Design, Amplifi has been created with the support of key businesses across the local area including Cripps, Yoyo, Crowe, Childrensalon, Handlesbanken, Colley Raine & Associates, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, RTW Together BID, Fuggles, AXA Health, the TN Card and the Times of Tunbridge Wells. Pete Kenyon, Partner at Cripps explains more: “The aim of the event is to encourage local businesses to work together to drive action and consider their environmental impact, with a view that harnessing the power of businesses working together, will achieve change quicker and more effectively, a transformation that is good for our planet, our businesses

and ourselves.” Jenny Kitchen, CEO of Yoyo Design adds: “The event is suitable for anyone involved in business in or around Tunbridge Wells with an interest in sustainability and with the ability to influence the decisions taken by their business. There are a limited number of spaces available, so we advise interested business owners or decision-makers to book soon.”

Inspiring The free event which takes place from 6.15pm to 8pm on Wednesday January 31 at The Amelia Scott, will include a video link opening address from leading Researcher, Professor and Author of ‘There is no Planet B’, Mike Berners-Lee, alongside some local inspiring business stories as well as details of Amplifi’s programme of local, free sector-specific activities across 2024 and beyond plus much more. To book a space at the event, or to find out more about the difference Tunbridge Wells businesses can make together, visit amplifi.tw

By Becky Moran, TN Lettings NOT all landlords need to use a letting agent, but unless you have the time and experience to manage your own portfolio, a letting agent is often useful. Letting agents can help you find new tenants, manage existing tenants and properties, and do pretty much everything that needs to be done so you can sit back and forget about your investment (mostly). At least that’s how it is supposed to be and here at TN Lettings we make sure that is the case giving a real hassle-free service. A good letting agent can be very valuable and will make your life much easier, but a bad one can cause a lot of headaches, not to mention cost you more money than you probably want to spend. Before you do anything, decide what exactly you need a letting agent to do.

Finding tenants is a common reason to use a letting agent. Many tenants register with letting agents when they look for a rental property, so if the agent manages your property, you have a steady supply of fresh tenants beating a path to your door.

Service Letting agents can also collect rent on your behalf, which is handy if you live overseas. For landlords who have neither the time nor the desire to manage their properties, letting agents offer a fully managed service. This means they manage tenancies, carry out maintenance, and do everything a landlord is obligated to do. All you have to do is wait for the rent to hit your bank account. If you are unhappy with your current agent call TN Lettings for free advice on 01892 249070 or visit tnlettings.co.uk

GABRIELLA LOVES…

SALE 01892 540216 | gabriellajewellery@outlook.com | www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk No. 9 Chapel Place Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YQ (Find us between the High Street and The Pantiles) Follow us @gabriellajewellery

COMMUNITY

Local News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Town’s first ‘pay-as-youfeel’ café to open this week

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

One hundred swimmers brave the elements for the TriSwim Christmas Santa Splash at Bewl Water and Chipstead Lake

By Elena Percy CHARLIE’S Angels Kitchens, a ‘surplus with purpose’ café tackling food waste and food insecurity, opens its doors on January 5 at 86, Camden Road. It will be Tunbridge Wells’ first ‘pay-as-youfeel’ ethical eatery that’s turning surplus food into meals for the whole community. The not-for-profit café was set up by Rusthall resident, Charlie Moore, who during lockdown began combining her love of gardening and food-growing expertise to tackle her pet peeve – food waste.

Surplus She said: “For years I’d been waxing lyrical about saving food surplus and how shameful it is that perfectly edible food is thrown away, incinerated, or fed to animals when we have people on our doorstep struggling to put food on the table. Tunbridge Wells has a very real problem with food poverty that I felt I had to respond to.” The café, which is sited in the former RendezVous restaurant will provide cooked meals to eat in or takeaway (own containers must be brought along), as well as fruit and vegetables, sold on a ‘pay-as-you-feel’ basis. A priced drinks menu where customers can ‘gift a cuppa’ is how the not-for-profit community interest company (CIC) will subsidise running costs and any free meals. The food on offer is donated by local farms and supermarkets or supplied by FareShare – the UK’s biggest surplus food redistribution charity. Last year alone, Charlie held 84 kitchen pop-ups, feeding on average 80 people each time, and serving up 6,720 cooked meals in the process.

CHARLIE MOORE

Both events were sold out with 40 swimmers at Chipstead Lake and 60 at Bewl Water. TriSwim founder Laura Ansell said: “We were delighted to see so many intrepid swimmers

at our Christmas Eve Santa Splash. It’s a great way to prepare for the festivities.” The group also hosted a similar event on New Year’s Day event at both lakes.

Add in the number of meals from free ingredients and supermarket provisions and Charlie estimates that the number of meals made from food destined for landfill totals 33,000. The company was awarded a grant from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council that been used to fund food deliveries, a second-hand van and fridge, the creation of a second pop-up kitchen in Southborough and the continuation of Charlie’s Angels’ pop-up kitchen in Rusthall. The transition to a permanent home on Camden Road is thanks to an army of volunteers – or ‘angels’. The café will continue to rely on voluntary help and any profits made will be put to local community use. Charlie’s Angels Kitchens is open from 10.30am-4pm, Monday to Wednesday, 10.30am -8pm Thursday and Friday and 10.30am-5pm on Saturday for food supplies, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and drinks at 86 Camden Road.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Licensing Act 2003

An application has been made by: Mr Shawn Lombard for the premises Red Lion, 82 Lower Green Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8TW On the date of: 11.12.2023 Summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of opening:

Restore your oven to its former glory! Treat your oven to a professional deep clean. Find me on: Call: Ed on 07921 867 166 Web: ed.ovenrescue.co.uk Book now in time for Xmas

Sale of alcohol: Mon to Thurs – 12:00 to 23:00 Fri to Sat – 12:00 to 00:00 Sun 12:00 to 22:00 Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs – 12:00 to 23:00 Fri to Sat – 12:00 to 00:00 Sun 12:00 to 22:00 Late Night refreshment: Fri to Sat – 23:00 to 00:00 Films: Every day 12:00 to 23:00 Any person wishing to view details of an application may contact the Licensing Partnership on 01732 227004 Any person wishing to make representation about the application should make them in writing on or before the 08.01.2024 Licensing Partnership, PO BOX 182, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk pa.sevenoaks.gov.uk/online-licensing It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is Unlimited.

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FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

MP helps stroke survivor get housing improvements

Local News

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY ACTION: Greg Clark MPwith West Kent’s Different Strokes Peer Support Group

By Archie Lawrence LAST month, Greg Clark MP returned to West Kent’s Different Strokes Peer Support Group to find out more about how the local group, led by stroke survivor Lisa Beaumont (pictured centre, front), enables working-age (15-65) survivors of stroke to live well after their experience. Mr Clark listened to each attendee’s needs for local services. One of them was Joanne Seaman, 43, a former nurse at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, who had her stroke in 2018 aged just 38.

Lobbying Joanne shared her frustration with the lack of maintenance and unsafe, draughty windows in her adapted social housing in Southborough. She explained she had been lobbying her landlord, Habinteg, for four years to repair the rotting window frames in her flat. Mr Clark advised Joanne on how best to approach Habinteg, including to give his name as an interested party. New windows were

ordered promptly. By December 1, doubleglazed, secure windows had been installed. Joanne said: “I’m thrilled with the new windows, my flat is warmer and I now have use of the whole flat. Previously, I avoided half of the flat as the part near the windows was cold and draughty. I’m grateful for the support from West Kent Different Strokes Group which helped me to resolve the problems with my accommodation.” A stroke can happen at any age. Each year around 157,000 people in the UK have a stroke and 25 per cent of these are people are under 65. Greg Clark said: “West Kent Different Strokes Local Peer Support Group provides a lifeline to stroke survivors of working age locally. He added: “The group supports carers and survivors and can provide practical and emotional support as well as a critical social focus. I am always warmly encouraged when I attend a Different Strokes meeting by the support, care and camaraderie that they can offer.” For more details about the West Kent Different Strokes Peer Support Group visit:

Hospice’s Clinical Director receives Queen’s Nurse title HOSPICE in the Weald’s Clinical Director Jan Thirkettle has been given the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) by The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI). The title recognises Jan’s commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership in community nursing. Jan was presented with her certificate at an awards ceremony held in London on December 8. “It is a huge honour to be recognised as a Queen’s Nurse,” said Jan, who qualified as a nurse more than 40 years ago. “This not only acknowledges my own commitment to improving standards of care in the community and to learning and leadership, but that of the entire team at Hospice in the Weald.”

Leadership Hospice in the Weald provides free care and support to children and adults facing lifethreatening or terminal illness in West Kent and East Sussex. Jan’s leadership in helping to extend the organisation’s reach beyond the Hospice’s walls and into the community played a key part in her gaining the title. Jan said: “I am particularly proud of how the Hospice has enhanced its role within hospital and community teams to improve end-of-life care for terminally ill patients. This has ensured more people are able to die in the place of their choice, whether that’s in their own home, in the hospice or elsewhere.” Nurses who hold the title benefit from

JAN THIRKETTLE (L)

Picture: The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

By Grace Corcoran

developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities, and a shared professional identity. Jan added: “As a Queen’s Nurse I am now part of a dynamic network and get to hear about all the good practice taking place across the country. This not only inspires me but has opened new opportunities for my colleagues too as we work together to improve the care and support we offer to those facing terminal illness and their loved ones in our own community.” Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, Chief Executive of The Queen’s Nursing Institute said: “On behalf of the QNI I would like to congratulate Jan and welcome her as a Queen’s Nurse. Queen’s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high-quality health care across the country. The process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires a clear commitment to improving care for patients, their families and carers.”

Monday

Wednesday

Pembury Pembury Primary School Lower Green Road Monday 5.30pm Call Jesse 07710549334 We are currently recruiting a new consultant for this Group. Contact Jesse to find out more about this exciting Opporutinity 07710 549334

Paddock Wood Paddock Wood Community Centre Maidstone Road Tonbridge, TN12 6EB Wednesday 9.30am Call Simone 07738681969

Tuesday Cranbrook New Morning Time from 9th January Cranbrook Rugby Cricket Club Anglet Road Cranbrook, TN17 2PN Tuesday 8am & 9.30am Call Debbie 07789776887 Staplehurst New Venue from 9th January Staplehurst Primary School Gybbon Rise, TN12 0LZ Tuesday 7pm Call Debbie 07789776887 Rusthall St Pauls Primary School Entrace Via Gladstone Road, TN4 8RZ Tuesday 5.30pm Call Jesse 07710549334 We are currently recruiting a new consultant for this Group. Contact Jesse to find out more about this exciting Opporutinity 07710 549334 Crowborough Crowborough Community Centre Pine Grove, TN6 1FE Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Call Beckie 07948352691 Paddock Wood Paddock Wood Community Centre Maidstone Road,TN12 6EB Tuesday 5.30pm & 7pm Call Simone 07738681969

High Brooms St Lukes Church Hall Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9JH Wednesday 5.30pm & 7pm Call Jesse 07710549334 Ramslye St Marks C of E Primary School Ramslye Road, TN4 8LN Wednesday 7pm Call Susie 07717177892

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NEWS

National News

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Wednesday January 3 | 2024

More tremors predicted after Ofsted inspections delayed amid mental 55 die in Japan earthquake health training NEWS IN BRIEF

A SERIES of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 55 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned yesterday (January 2) that more quakes could lie ahead. Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 temblor slammed the area. Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.

Disaster Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said 17 people were seriously injured and gave a slightly lower death toll, saying he was aware of the prefecture’s tally. Water, power and mobile phone services were still down in some areas. Although casualty numbers continued to climb gradually, the prompt public warnings, relayed on broadcasts and phones, and the quick response from the general public and officials appeared to have limited some of the damage. Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters, said people were prepared because the area had been hit by quakes in recent years. They had evacuation plans and emergency supplies in stock. “There is probably no people on earth other than Japanese who are so disaster-ready,” he said.

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. Mr Katada warned the situation remains precarious and unpredictable. Japan’s military dispatched 1,000 soldiers to the disaster zones to join rescue efforts, prime minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday. “Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle against time,” he said. “It is critical that people trapped in homes get rescued immediately.” A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook the Ishikawa area as he was speaking. Following Monday’s quakes, a Japanese coast guard aircraft due to deliver relief goods collided

yesterday (January 2) with a passenger plane on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and burst into flames, with five people on the smaller plane killed. All 379 people on Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 got out safely before the plane was engulfed in flames, transport minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed. The pilot of the coast guard plane escaped but the five crew members died, Mr Saito said. Coast guard spokesperson Yoshinori Yanagishima said its Bombardier Dash-8 plane, which is based at Haneda, had been due to head to Niigata to deliver relief goods to residents affected by a deadly earthquake in the region on Monday.

Mortgage ‘rates war’ could be on the way

Flowers were then attached to the railings of the football court at the park. Among the attendees were the victim’s mother, brother and sister, with Metropolitan Police offciers seen patrolling the perimeter of the aprk. Speaking on Monday, Harry’s older sister, Tayla, 19, told the MailOnline of her family’s heartbreak, adding that her brother could be “mischievous and cheeky” but he ‘didn’t have a bad bone in his body’ and ‘always stood up for what was right’. She said: “It doesn’t seem real – I keep on expecting him to come through the front door. His dinner is still in the oven, Mum can’t bring herself to remove it.” Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Grogan said they are “working hard to establish the events” that led to Harry’s death. Mr Grogan said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with Harry’s family and friends at this difficult time.

2023 was UK’s second warmest ever year LAST year was provisionally the second warmest on record for the UK since records began in 1884, the Met Office has said. Only 2022, which saw temperatures exceed 40C for the first time in recorded history, was hotter. Wales and Northern Ireland had their warmest years, with the Met Office saying climate change has made these benchmarks ‘significantly more likely’. Provisional figures show 2023 had an average mean temperature of 9.97 °C, just behind 2022’s figure of 10.03°C and ahead of 2014’s figure of 9.88°C. The five warmest years for the UK include 2020, 2022 and 2023 and the top 10 are all in the 21st century. Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon said: “We expect this pattern to continue as our climate continues to change in the coming years as a result of human-induced climate change.”

Aldi and Lidl cheer record-breaking sales

Vigil for teen murdered on New Year’s Eve A LARGE crowd of people gathered for a vigil yesterday (January 2) at a park in north-east London for a 16-year-old boy murdered on New Year’s Eve. Harry Pitman, also 16, was attacked after what police described as “an altercation” as he waited to watch the display with friends near the Primrose Hill viewpoint in Camden, north London. Witnesses said large crowds, including families with children, had gathered to watch the fireworks when violence broke out. Many attendees were carrying flowers and balloons in Downhills Park for Harry Pitman, who was attacked following an altercation at Primrose Hill viewpoint in Camden, north London, on Sunday evening. A series of football chants relating to Tottenham Hotspur were sung by attendees at the vigil in Downhills Park. One woman could be heard shouting: “Harry Pitman, he’s one of our own.”

SCHOOL inspections will be halted until later in the month to ensure inspectors receive mental health training, Ofsted’s new chief inspector has announced. Routine inspections will not take place in schools in England at the start of term, Sir Martyn Oliver said, as he launched a package of training for inspectors. It comes after school leaders’ unions called for Ofsted inspections to be suspended to allow time for ‘meaningful action to be taken’ following the inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry killed herself after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns. Next week inspectors will receive training from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England who will then lead a rolling programme of further mental health awareness training for all inspectors.

LENDERS have kicked off a new year ‘mortgage rates war’ amid hopes the Bank of England will cut borrowing costs. Yesterday, January 2, one of Britain’s largest mortgage providers, Halifax, cut the rates on some of its mortgages by as much as 0.92 percentage points on Tuesday. That is the equivalent to £162 a month on a £300,000 loan with 25 years of repayments left.

Hopes Leeds Building Society also cut their rates by 0.49 percentage points and is now offering a two-year fix at 4.60pc, according to analyst Moneyfacts. Other lenders, such as Kensington, have withdrawn rates

with a view to re-launch cheaper loans. Mortgage broker Ranald Mitchell, of Charwin Private Clients, said the ‘unprecedented rate war is well underway’ in 2024. He also added that ‘seismic moves’ were to be expected compared to last year. He then announced that with ‘net mortgage lending predicted to be lower than last year, lenders will be pulling out all the stops – not just to acquire new business, but also to protect their existing customer base’. “Such vying for business, as well as newbuild initiatives being rolled out and pent-up frustration from an inert purchase market last year, could mean lending forecasts are well off the mark,” added Mr Mitchell

DISCOUNTERS Aldi and Lidl have revealed record Christmas trading as cash-strapped shoppers looked to cut the costs of their festive celebrations. Aldi hailed its ‘best ever’ Christmas performance, with UK sales of more than £1.5 billion for the first time in the month leading up to Christmas. The chain, which has more than 1,010 stores across the UK, said sales lifted 8 per cent year on year in the four weeks to December 24. Its fellow German-owned rival Lidl also claimed its best Christmas yet, reporting year-on-year UK sales growth of 12 per cent in the four weeks to December 24.

Home Secretary regrets ‘awful joke’ JAMES Cleverly has said he regrets the ‘joke’ he made about spiking drinks. At a No 10 event before Christmas the Home Secretary had joked about spiking his wife’s drink with a date rape drug, just hours after announcing plans to crack down on the issue. While speaking to female guests at the event, Mr Cleverly said that ‘a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night’ was ‘not really illegal if it’s only a little bit’. Mr Cleverly apologised for the comments because they ‘potentially distracted from the work we were doing to tackle spiking to help predominantly women’.

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COMMENT

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

John Hurst

John Hurst is the Tunbridge Wells Green Party’s Parliamentary Candidate

Green Party

Can Britain really be proud of its climate leadership? WE hope everyone had a merry Christmas – even though it was wet, windy and one of the warmest on record. In his last column, Greg Clark waxed lyrical about being at CoP28, his pride in Britain’s past climate leadership, and the Government’s delivery of emissions reductions and environmental protection. While Greg indeed got Net Zero by 2050 approved in the last weeks of Theresa May’s premiership, the more pressing issue right now is keeping global temperature rises below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as agreed by 196 countries at CoP21 in Paris in 2015. On current trends, 1.5°C may be exceeded by the end of this decade. And in that respect, Britain is showing anything BUT leadership. Firstly, the Government gave the go-ahead for the Cumbrian coal mine, which will produce 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses per year, equivalent to putting 200,000 cars on the road, thereby trashing any environmental reputation the UK might have had. It recently approved development of the UK’s biggest oilfield, Rosebank, which Caroline Lucas has called ‘the greatest act of environmental vandalism in my lifetime’. The field could produce 300 million barrels of oil in its lifetime, emitting as much CO2 as 56 coal-fired power

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public along on the low-carbon journey. Britain has the worst-insulated homes in Europe but there is no country-wide scheme to address this at a price people can afford and give them lower heating bills as well as cosier rooms.

Commitment

‘The UK needs to set an example by urgently moving away from fossil fuels’ stations for a year. Then the deadline for selling new petrol and diesel cars, and the phasing out of gas boilers, was pushed back by Rishi Sunak, a move met with despair by environmental experts, with former US vice-president Al Gore saying Rishi

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Sunak was ‘doing the wrong thing’. Friends of the Earth, Client Earth and the Good Law Project took the government to court in the summer over its inadequate future strategy for tackling climate change, following a damning progress report from the Climate Change Committee, which found there are only credible plans for less than a fifth of the emissions cuts needed to meet the UK’s legally binding climate targets. Does this look like a Government providing climate leadership? Worryingly, little has been done to bring the

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Replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps will need 45,000 extra skilled technicians, but there is no nationwide programme to meet those numbers. This is a Government led by a PM who thinks the ‘free market’ is going to solve the climate emergency, but it isn’t – industry needs to see commitment and consistency from the Government before it will invest. As one of the world’s richest countries, and the home of the Industrial Revolution, the UK needs to set an example by urgently moving away from fossil fuels, reducing heat losses from buildings, and investing faster in renewable energy. And the Prime Minister himself needs to lead by example – starting by dropping the use of private jets and helicopters for short journeys. When Britain has committed to a plan – and shown results – aimed at keeping short-term global temperatures under control, then we will have a chance of seeing White Christmases in Tunbridge Wells as regularly as we used to.

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The Great Brittens Sale Begins The Great Brittens Sale Begins 9th January at 10am SALE

th 9 SALEJanuary 9thSALE January at at 10am 10am

We look forward to seeing you… We We look look forward forward to to seeing seeing you… you…

Wednesday February 22 | 2023

Wednesday December 6 | 2023

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS 37 VISIT: timeslo Homes & Interiors

19 15 Press gang: Council Lead s And another thing…journalists for primary Dear Editor...

I have a real thing for with people who Wednesday January 3 |working 2024 Wednesday December 13 | 2023

women and it makes for aLETTERS much more respectful environment that overturns stereotypes.

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

have open minds, who I can build a rapport and sense of trust with. I look for people who are happy to share their lifestyles with me, as that’s how the best projects are concocted. Ideally I enjoy working with people who haven’t already got everything mapped out to a tee. I love to get involved in the original vision and to work This is the page where you, thearchitect reader, have collaboratively with a client and to your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going onor in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk achieve brilliant results.

Your studio is based in Speldhurst, which must be very inspiring. What other areas in life do you draw inspiration from? My son is sports mad and I am finding myself more frequently on the side of a cricket pitch, all over the country! Just as I am intrigued by how a person can shape a home, I am intrigued by how a culture can shape a person. My designs readily embrace local culture and influences.

The Newspaper Club – a group of budding journalists from publication – The Eagle – travelled to the Town Hall to get t our of theto world. We likeTimes to hear you. You can email us at Estate, newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or you part can write the Editor, offrom Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG you can write to the Editor, Times of Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG In terms of your work, do you just execute Leader Ben Chapelard. Grace Corcoran chats to the schoo the soft furnishings side of interior design or Are there any particular designers you are do you also get involved in the structural side volunteer Mat Waugh, who our leads the club… imposition of collective responsibility is Inhealth the meantime, is and happening in service tosee its what knees, left almost

‘Lacklustre,stance lofty aspirations’ Labour’s on the

of things if needed with the service you provide? Our team is home to interior designers, project Whilst noand onetradespeople, would pass upworking the opportunity managers to exchange a together couple oftocold December weeks collaboratively simplify processes, for somewhere warm, I wonder if it was reduce costs and minimise delays often necessary for Greg Clark to attend, particularly given the lacklustre outcome because, polish it as much as he likes, it has not achieved much given its lofty aspirations. Surely the irony cannot have escaped him that 70,000 people flew in, many on private jets, to determine how the rest of us should live; lecture us on the error of our ways, and experienced with numerous generally decide how to make people’s lives providers. We have decades of more miserable and poorer. experience on site building Energy costs more, not less; green energy extensions and creating interiors, production costs may have fallen, but they do whilst also producing the best not carry through into the retail price. People craftsmanship and joinery, accredited must choose to sit in the cold, so that they by the Federation of Master Builders. may eat, because they cannot do both. Whether we work on your interior I expect he’ll be in Azerbaijan next year design only, or deliver your whole which, like Dubai, is an oil rich state and poor build for you, we are committed to a in human rights too. article last week She draws a line between Labour and her WELL, Jayne Sharratt’s flawless end result. Joseph Tory opponents by planning a state-owned GB certainlyHahn tugged at the heartstrings, as it was Tunbridge Energy company. What seemsdo toyou havelike passed intended. A Wells primary school volunteer feels What companies Ms Sharratt by is anything state owns and sorry and fears for the future of his charges working with onthe your projects and/or runs was, everlocal will be, a because of climate change, leaving me are anyisofand them to Tunbridge ‘Mr Clark, people ARE The iniquitous bit pit. is the gas price is used disaster, aWells? money The state cannot runtoa wondering if this does notpoorer’ carry over to the Sochildren, it’s Gregtoo Clark’s fault that a sizeable price all theWe energy called bath properly. Who’s going to it’s invest and details and embeds a sense of fear in love supplied, incorporating design number Britons now need. lead a beggared ‘marginal so webusinesses buy green energy manage it?cost Thepricing’, energy giants won’t touch it them –of just what they that support local when existence by theisdogmatic for Greenstuff at gas and oilall prices as taxpayers, because like energy produced, including What follows the usualdash unchallenged we can anddespite, also bouncing ideas off energy. He and he alone it seems is no subsidising the building of it’s these renewable current renewables, unless sold on the about the climate emergency, making responsible ‘eat heat’. generators. he writes about open marketYet at international oil ‘cheaper prices, it than will reference tofor the factorthat 70,000 people jetted He I was....’ ‘I did this’ and market electricity”’ – I’m lost: a the be deadprice in the water, further exposing intowrites:’when an oil-producing stateand [COP24] that refutes ‘I the introduced....’, think no one elseto was reduction £117 per megawatt hour to £37 myth, nay from lie, that renewables will be notion of anyou’d emergency and, more the PUBLIC NOTICE involved, but if points he wants take blame, makes notThey a blind of and difference to any cheaper. ain’tbit now they won’t be,of us. point, rightly outtothat oilthe isn’t going that’s fine. soon. And the same 70,000 will jet Edward Baker wrote recently: “I’ve been state-owned or not. anywhere ‘Hairshirt environmentalism..... thatone reduces Roger Quilteredenergy and Roger de Coverelyed International markets control the and into another country next year – it’s standards living and people great poorer’ Rogerorinnot. between.” I couldn’t have price, other renewable She needs to examine enormousofjamboree formakes the so-called and every hethe goes on,lecturing but we don’t need loony put it better, except I would argue his use for of the horse-trading about guaranteed prices good, the rest of the us how to left liberals and the antis do it, the it appears Mr the proposed past tense. next generation of nuclear. behave, whilst doingto exactly opposite Clark has doneThere it forwill them: Mr Clark, peopleof Ralph Edward Steerpike Baker themselves. be the usual clutch ARE poorer. Tunbridge Wells Tunbridge Wells slebs green-washing their images too. Groundscare General Services limited, Crowing (sorry, but you are) about howand much energy now comes from green sources he fails Councillor Hall’s resignation from Colebarn Farm, Stepneyford Lane, to mention that this does not reduce prices by TWBC Cabinet Cranbrook, TN17 4BWis a break in continuity a single penny; he omits toBenenden, tell us that green Cllr Hall’s resignation energy needs to be topped up by gas bought for the silliest of party political reasons on the international markets at world prices. demonstrating how a partnership isn’t. The

climate doesn’t add up

Healthcare has always been the subject whipping. Councillors should notYear act against of political debate ONintense Wednesday November 22, five 6 pupils,

the interests the people are In his letter ofofDecember 6, they Mr Moorhouse Albie, Amelie, Fatimah, Florence andsupposed Isabel met to represent or be required to vote for policies replied to Labour Councillor Shadi Roger’s with Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem) to interview they do not support. comment piece, by regretting thein NHS being him about what the Council does Tunbridge The Council badly needs genuine and treated likewhat a political football. Wells and he gets up to in his role. principled Independents whobeen are not formally That healthcare has always the subject Organised by parent volunteer Mat Waugh and assimilated into the LibDems. Residents areIt of intense political debate is not surprising. Deputy Headteacher Jenny Stiff, the children best served Councillors voting orranging against is important toofthe wellbeing of allfor of us as drew up a listby challenging questions, proposals and ideas on their merits, not individuals and the economy. Because it from the recent Royal Victoria Place acquisition because ofover which has proposed consumes 20 Party per cent of public ofor and homelessness, to the challenges imposed them. expenditure it is right that there is democratic leadership, Cllr Chapelard’s heroes and his Cllr Hayward debate about how the money is spent. When pizzaDavid preferences. Independents forbyTunbridge Wells the NHS was set up a Labour government in other local designers. We use local 1948 Mr Moorhouse wrong when he photographers, localwas marketing and PR, ‘We had an interesting mix Re: ‘Labour’s stance on the climate implied that it had cross-party support. In of fact and on the procurement side. We also love doesn’t addand up’sharing the Conservatives opposed the of the collaborating knowledge. For questions, as well ascreation several Edward – aThe emergency fact NHS tooth and nail – voting 22(have times. example, fewclimate companies I against know is init Kent that a thought-provoking ones look atthe thehome climate change graphs onwhich the fact Mr Moorhouse might not like comments touch build space and share ourfrom check section of about the channel 4 news made me reflect on what the the Labour the about state of ourwebsite). NHS values haveParty been chatting setting up but a Why would anyone challenge that? My worry perhaps he accept those of the network so would people moving to the area can Council does’ for my grandchildren’s future doesfor not entail independent Kingsthe Fund that concludes that ‘a immediately find right experts them. frightening them. I agree that jetting to COPhas is decade of historically low funding increases flawed but it’s the only possible way of left services facing huge pressures and a How many are in your design team and is it The pupils were given a tour of the Council reaching international agreement. workforce crisis’. Asthe Shadi said in her article, deliberate that it’s an section all-female one? building, any including shortly toAnd be many of the COP attendees were lobbyists this has resulted in record high hospital I am proud to be breaking the mould ofwaiting theeg turned into coworking office space. Fatimah, for and industrial agriculture. lists, 100,000 job vacancies, and afemaleshortage male dominated building industry. Mywas onefossil ofover Thefuels Eagle’s reporters, said she Our energy market could be reformed of nurses, midwives, GPs, hospital doctors, led team has coreimpressive team of eight designers, ‘fascinated bya the structure ofby TWBC splitting theand wholesale market in twoare toalso mental health professionals and care workers. developers craftspeople, but we Town Hall’. separate out pricing renewables, or an can The forwho all for of us at the nextby election privileged to have an extensive network we Cllr question Chapelard, was impressed the approach based on charging customers will be who toour trust to look after the NHS the call upon for larger projects too. Our pupil’s ‘interesting mix’ of questions, toldin the according to type of generating capacity in future? Will itthe be the Conservatives afterfor craftsmen and tradesmen are happywho, tothis work Times: “I had been looking forward to their region, as our ‘locational pricing’ see 13 years, haveknown trashed economy, brought www.ofgem.gov.uk and es.catapult.org.uk.

inspired by? Wales with community here, where all of our public servicesenergy worse than they I have always admired the work thatwhen comes out consumers do get lower energy www.a started in government? Or will itprices be Labour, of the Helen Green Design Studio. The designs gov.wales developmentbank.wales. party with and aelegant track record of colour growing our are always and use and texture Susan Westlake economy, investing the NHS, has brilliantly. I am also in a huge fan ofand thethat Tollgard plans oversee biggest expansion of NHS DesigntoGroup for the more contemporary design and Can Royal Tunbridge staff its history? their in fabulous use of art. Wells Together BID consider Martin Betts St John’s? IMost am aof firm believer in what RTWin BID are doing Chair, Tunbridge Wells Labour your work takes place the local for theAre town. area. they all private projects or have you Spending money giving a better Thoughts on the last on edition done some more commercial ones you us could tell us array of festive events and Christmas lights is The (OFWAT) watchdog is right to probe South about? totally wonderful and Iits thoroughly agree with East for ‘failing’ customers and the We Water have worked on some wonderful projects getting residents to shop and support local local community was rightly saved in the both near and far,centre From Grade II-listed country instead of in the car orthe on the train to final hour. The petition against Post Office manors, tohopping contemporary London apartments HOLD T the out ofand town shopping centre. closure is correct Kent Police rightly needs team h andnearest boutique holiday homes across the globe. But one thing has always slightly confused to the standards according the of Weimprove design exclusively to the style andtovision me it comes tothey the BIDprivate –have why wrongly doesn’t it latest report. The train drivers our when clients, whether are or inter include the St planned rolling one-day open strikes rail commercial. WeJohn’s don’t area? look for one typeacross of project journ it should as it nowand boasts a fantastic companies duringcomplex December. –Surely we really enjoy interesting stude selection ofand, cafes, independent andthen Julian Branson challenges if we can build itshops in-house the n bars who would really benefit from having it’s better for all parties as the client saves the “T support ofcoffee RTW BIDensure behindour them. Price moneyof and we can designs are well If anyone knows meRd viatothis Idelivered regularly make theplease tripmeant todo St tell John’s enjoy how they are to be. made letters page as I–honestly can’t why my coffee order an almond flatfathom white. However, were ataken vibrant and Isuch wasfinally, aback atrelatively the price of my interior coffee inpart one disap And can you sum upindependent your of our town wouldn’t be part of particular joint which automatically cost me £4! I have never design philosophy? abou this initiative. before paid £4 forpeople-powered a cup of coffee in my life, even Originality and lifestyle Th And asalternative it improves month on month with itsIn with the milk discrimination I face. design. child hospitality and retail offering surely the the future, I’ll stick to even flow, whichnow hasisthe will time to make it a part ofWells, the BID? best coffee in Tunbridge and at 60p venmorgan.com Eag Frances Robinson cheaper, my purse is the better for it. @venmorganinteriors Th Tunbridge Wells M. Lisa

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Wednesday January 3 | 2024

Local News

EDUCATION

Students discover why inspirational author’s literary work is about more than just words

Award-winning author and black belt martial artist Chris Bradford visited Beacon Academy for a fun day of inspirational talks, demonstrations and book signings… BEACON Academy students in Years 7 and 8 recently enjoyed an ‘exciting day’ with the award-winning children’s author and black belt martial artist Chris Bradford. “The children very much enjoyed an exciting day of all-kicking, all-punching readings, demonstrations and book signings with Chris,” a Beacon Academy spokesperson told the Times. “The events focused on the author’s popular Young Samurai and Bodyguard series. Year 8 discovered what it takes to become a bodyguard and learnt their secret defence techniques, while Year 7 tested their ninja skills and witnessed an authentic samurai sword display,” explained the

spokesperson for the mixed co-educational school in Crowborough. All students were commended for making their MARK throughout the event, demonstrating manners, acceptance, respect and kindness throughout – values that underpin MARK Education Trust’s ethos and are central to many of Chris Bradford’s novels.

Questions

“The participation from students was fantastic, with everyone contributing brilliant questions and volunteering to take part,” added Head of Key Stage 3 English, Ms Anna Phillips. “A small group of students were to an informal THE GUIDING VALUES OF MARK meet invited and greet lunch where EDUCATION TRUST ARE: they could ask questions that they had prepared, and Chris could give insight into his M – Motivated: to create exceptional, caring writing process. and safe educational establishments “The visit was a wonderful A – Ambitious: high expectations of staff and experience for all of our students, and it really conveyed students the joy and excitement of R – Resourceful: ensuring efficiency and reading a good book. We would value for money like to thank Chris Bradford for K – Knowledgeable: valuing learning for life everything that he did to make the day such a success.”

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Arts

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

Powerful and award-winning poetry in motion

Local poet Charlie Bell is celebrating winning an impressive competition. His poem ‘desert horse’ was picked to feature in a new play which was staged at the Cockpit Theatre in London last month after Charlie entered the international contest. Here, he tells Eileen Leahy more about the winning poem and discusses the literary work he carries out within the Tunbridge Wells community…

harlie Bell is a writer, poet and creative writing tutor, who has also written several local history books and authored and edited numerous books for publishers Hodder & Stoughton in their ‘Beginner’s Guide to Literature’ series. Charlie, who lives in Speldhurst and is founder of the Writing Hut, is clearly a very busy individual as he is also the Chair of the annual Tunbridge Wells Poetry Festival which aims to promote poetry to the wider community. Passionate about poetry, he belongs to two local poetry groups, Roundel in Tonbridge and The Kent & Sussex Poetry Society, which is the oldest such society in the country and was founded by writer Vita Sackville West. It has been going for over 75 years and meets regularly in Tunbridge Wells. “My philosophy is anyone who wants to can write. Writing is essentially affirming and therapeutic,” states Charlie. His clients have included the University of Kent and Kent Adult Education, Burrswood Wellbeing, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Commonwork Trust and Crossways. A little while ago Charlie entered a poem of his, ‘desert horse’ into an international competition for the SplitMoon Theatre. The aim was to find a suitable piece of poetic writing to include in a play entitled Desert Poet they were putting on at the Cockpit Theatre in London.

CHARLIE BELL

DESERT DRAMA: The play Desert Poet was performed at the Cockpit Theatre in London last month Much to his delight Charlie found out that he’d won the competition and that his original poem ‘desert horse’ would be featured in the play which ran for a week last month. “The producer of the play, Caroline Staunton told me upon winning that they had received many beautiful poems and that the quality and variety was impressive,” explains Charlie.

‘My poem, ‘desert horse’ was blended into the Desert Poet play in a seamless way which connected it to the Master AlQays – who is considered as the Arabic Shakespeare’ Each poem was allotted a number and sent anonymously to the judges and it was Charlie’s work which was unanimously awarded the prestigious SplitMoon Theatre prize. “My poem was included in each of the performances of Desert Poet and also printed in the programme,” adds Charlie who is also part of Arts Without Boundaries, a totally inclusive arts charity, where he works as the ‘resident’

CHARLIE BELL’S WORK IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDES: • Creative writing in community centres, homes for the elderly and in mental health settings. • Chair of the Organising Committee of the Tunbridge Wells Poetry Festival • He also offers work on commissions for arts bodies and community charities and groups

CHARLIE BELL’S POEM ‘desert horse’ we survive to be ourselves as the people of these harsh lands exist in the interplay of loving and caring winds blowing from some place and no place shaped by forces beyond us tough as mountains endless as the sand outsiders, interlopers, protected, tolerated, persecuted, all in a moment soundly unsafe in our shifting haven poet facilitator. “The play Desert Poet was a look at exile and covered 2,000 years of Iraqi history. It travelled from the urban to the ancient desert in dramatic form. It told the complex rite of passage of many who had to flee their countries over the centuries. “For the very first time, the Master Poem of Imru’ Al-Qays was presented to a European audience in English and Arabic. Al-Qays is regarded as the Arabic Shakespeare. The themes of the play are uprootedness, migration and the deserts of the soul,” explains Charlie. “My poem, ‘desert horse’ was blended into the play in a seamless way which connected it to the Master Al-Qays himself. It took the subject of the desert horses of the Namibian desert, who themselves symbolise displacement and alienation. “The competition attracted poems from all over the Arab and English-speaking worlds. So I am delighted to have been recognised by such a prestigious theatre company,” Charlie told the Times. To discover more about Charlie and his work visit writing-hut.com

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

How to make every second count so you live your life consciously and preciously

In her first column of 2024, our wellbeing expert Lucy Parker from Flow Tunbridge Wells shares her advice on how to really live life to the fullest… AND just like that it’s 2024! So, in the words of Mary Oliver, ‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’ Here’s my suggestion: LIVE IT! Yes, it sounds super simple, but have you ever stopped long enough to be grateful to be alive, grateful for the opportunity to age, to move and breathe, even to regret? Often, it’s easier to get caught up in the illusion of perfection, to dislike our wrinkled faces, moan about our aching limbs, belittle our rounding bellies or complain about our lack of funds. But these acts in themselves are only possible by the sheer fact of living that we are all graced with, and what’s more, through living we can learn and through learning we gain the gift

‘What if we can make every second count and leave a legacy that we’re proud to be ours?’ of wisdom. In the wise words of the William Henry Davies poem ‘Leisure’, ‘What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.’ I say this on the very day, January 3, that I remember my late husband's birthday. The man I had my children with and the man who died 17 years ago at the tender age of 35. This man was denied the joy of seeing his children grow up, he has never known what it’s like to get old and he always told me that any wrinkles on my face

LUCY PARKER would reflect the patina of a life well lived. He was, and still is, an inspiration to me, a man who embraced his diagnosis and decline with grace, serenity, and compassion. What lessons can we learn here? I’m reminded of the timeless question of what happens both after death as well as before life? What is that infinite nothing that we emerge from and dissolve back into? Some will say, God, some Mother Earth, and more Spirit, although one of my personal favourites is ‘The Management’! Comparatively, we exist for a blink of an eye, and wouldn’t it be wonderful for that blink to

mean something significant, to hold its own special power and echo of meaning and purpose? What if we can make every second count and leave a legacy that we’re proud to be ours? The psychologist Irvin Yalom talks about the ripple effect that our deceased leave, their memory and actions rippling out as a guide to those who knew them. Why is this important? Because I want my patina to run deep and my ripple to be wide. I hope that life touches me personally in so many ways that it shows on my body and in my heart. In turn, I hope the wisdom I learn and insight I leave behind can offer a rudder for my children’s lives and their children’s children to come. I hope not to vanish into obscurity and for my torchlight to offer a ‘Path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home’, as John O’Donohue once said. Now, I’m aware that’s an ambitious statement and a bold target that I’m not going to achieve unless I start right now.

Now is always the best place to start and I encourage you to do the same, as I wish for your life to be fully-lived, too. I invite you to begin 2024 with a promise to live your life fully, in a way of your choosing that both respects your miraculous gift of life while also embracing the understanding you have gained along the way. To be consciously, and preciously present to the here and now of every day. Take time to seriously consider the mark you wish to make on this planet Earth and the mark you wish to make on the lives of your friends and family. Dream big and allow yourself to embody the inspiration and change you wish to see in the world. My late husband taught me to be humble, to embrace all that life has to offer with kindness and to tread lightly on this earth. My intentions for 2024 are to continue to honour his ripple effect, to add some of my own and to embrace all the gifts given to me by life. What’s your intention I wonder? If you’ve been bereaved or suffered a profound loss of another type, such as a divorce or loss of income, identity, or security, please do get in touch with me. I’m a trained grief counsellor and can offer a listening ear and welcome space for you to share your experience. Lucy Parker, Coach, Counsellor and Yoga Therapist flowtunbridgewells.com embarkcounselling.co.uk

Books

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

Times reporter Grace Corcoran picks three reads for your week

On this week’s bookshelf, a gripping domestic thriller from Mira V Shah, James O’Brien analyses the current British political landscape and a serial killer is at large in Shelley Burr’s ‘Murder Town’… Her by Mira V Shah

How They Broke Britain by James O’Brien

Murder Town by Shelley Burr

When Natalie moves into the same street as Rani, she seems to have it all. Rani is an unfulfilled housewife, grappling with low self-esteem and struggling to fit into the wealthy neighbourhood she rents her flat in, while Natalie has the perfect husband, house and job. However, as Rani befriends Natalie, the closer she gets the more she realises that this world is not as perfect as it would seem. Natalie is hiding secrets from her past that even she is struggling to uncover. Narrated from the thoughts of both Rani and Natalie, two very different contrasting and complex characters, this psychological thriller is filled with twists and turns that keep you gripped to the very end. You won’t want to put it down.

From the extensive introduction to the last page, this is a compelling read. A thought-provoking and illuminating book; O’Brien doesn’t hold any punches when taking the reader through the characters and events populating British society since 2010. It is a book which will make you gasp in shock, shake your head in bewilderment and wonder how any of this was allowed to take place in 21st-century Britain. While it would have been easy for the book to become about the author’s frustrations with the governing party since 2010, he has done a great job of keeping it factual, interesting, and informative, tracing the role of the press, politicians and commentators and their impact. It’s an easy and fascinating read; well-constructed and with the rhythm required to maintain interest.

It’s obvious why Rainier is known as ‘murder town’ – three people were killed, shattering the local community for a generation. Just when memories start to fade after 15 years, a controversial plan to run tours around the murder sites rekindles the horrors of the past. But the tour operator is murdered, sparking fears of a copycat Rainier Ripper. The desperate authorities enlist a prisoner to try to befriend the original Ripper in his cell for possible clues. The main characters of Murder Town are compelling, such as teashop owner Gemma Guillory, who discovered one of the original murder victims, and her police officer husband with his dark secrets. The plot takes several twists, skilfully told by Australian writer Shelley Burr – while the ending leaves open the mouth-watering prospect of a follow-up.

Review by Jacqueline Ling

Review by Frances Taylor-Cook

Published in paperback by Hodder, priced £9.99

Published in hardback by WH Allen, priced £20

Published in hardback by Hodder & Stoughton, priced £20

Review by Alan Jones

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Nutrition

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

How to sensibly eat your way to a healthier you in 2024... Janie Perry is a registered Nutritional Therapist focusing on weight management and sports nutrition. As we kick off 2024, Janie shares her five simple steps to help you lose weight and feel great…

truggling with your weight? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent Government report, 63 per cent of UK adults are above a healthy weight. Half are living with obesity. But, a few simple changes can make all the difference. Here are five things you can do to help you lose weight and feel energised to do all the things you really want to do in 2024. 1. Eat regularly and often Avoid skipping meals. Going for long periods of time without eating leads to overeating and makes you much more likely to reach for less healthy foods. I tend to recommend three main meals and two small healthy snacks every day. It’s all about the right foods at the right time in the right amounts. Losing weight is not about deprivation. I want my clients to feel full and enjoy what they are eating. This is the key to success and long-term sustainable change. 2. Eat carbohydrates, proteins and fats at every meal and snack Avoid eating just carbohydrate-rich foods on their own, for example, toast with honey or jam, croissants, pastries, bagels, sweets, chocolate

bars. Make sure you’re always including protein and healthy fats in your diet to fill you up and keep you satiated for longer. The addition of protein and fats will also curb sugar cravings, meaning you are much less likely to overeat and graze throughout the day. Good sources of protein include eggs, dairy, lean meat, pulses (lentils and chickpeas),

tofu and soya. Nut and seed butters (peanut, almond, cashew and tahini) are a quick and easy way to add healthy fats and protein to your meals and snacks. Try rye bread with peanut butter for breakfast and berries with almond butter as a snack. Tenderstem broccoli or asparagus drizzled with tahini (made into a simple dressing) is a delicious and healthy way of serving vegetables. Make sure you always buy unsweetened nut and seed butters.

3. Eat breakfast What you eat at breakfast sets you up for the rest of your day. So, choose healthy carbohydrates, protein and fats at breakfast to keep your blood sugar levels stable and set you up for good glucose stability for the rest of the day. Try plain unsweetened yoghurt with berries, nuts and seeds (for example, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower). There’s nothing wrong with a

savoury breakfast either. Poached eggs with smashed avocado, grilled tomatoes, wilted spinach and mushrooms are an energy-boosting start to the day! 4. Eat the right carbohydrates The more processed carbohydrates we eat (crisps, biscuits, cakes, croissants, pastries), the higher our blood sugar rises. The body’s response to this is to produce insulin, the fat-storage hormone. The more insulin you have circulating in your body, the more sugar cravings you get and the more likely you are to store it as fat, particularly around the middle. So, ditch the crisps, biscuits, cakes, croissants and pastries and swap white foods for brown. Choose wholegrain pasta or bulgur wheat, brown rice, rye bread or brown sourdough instead of the white versions. Vegetables can be a good source of carbohydrates, too as they include fibre that reduces the rate at which sugar is absorbed by the body, stabilising blood glucose levels and

aiding weight loss. Choose sweet potato, new potatoes (particularly left to cool), carrots, squash, pumpkin, beetroot or peas as your carbohydrates. Perhaps make them into a soup? A great winter warmer! 5. Change the order of your carbohydrates, fats and proteins when you eat Eat your vegetables, healthy fats and protein before your carbohydrates. The order makes a huge difference, filling you up quicker, helping to stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing cravings and shifting stubborn pounds. If you’re a busy person, struggling with your weight, confused about what to eat, know that you are not alone. Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call so that I can learn more about your health issues and give you my initial thoughts on how I can help you lose weight and feel great without feeling hungry. Find out more about Janie Perry at janieperry.co.uk and @janieperrywellness

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Antiques

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

Accessories for the gentleman shooter

Alexander Pushkin of Pushkin Antiques is a keen clay pigeon shooter. Here he explains how choosing the right type of accessories can elevate a shoot from a day of simple sport to an elegant experience for a gentleman…

n the wintry English countryside, a refined pleasure awaits the gentleman: clay pigeon shooting amid a serene landscape, accompanied by exquisite drinks and camaraderie. Picture a stately estate adorned with frosted trees – a picturesque scene where sharp shotgun reports pierce the crisp air – a testament to precision and skill. Each shot transforms the clay pigeon into a bursting firework, showcasing artistry in perfect aim. The perfect accessory to make a day’s shooting truly unique is this set of 12, handcrafted, solid-silver butt markers, resembling doublebarrell shotguns and numbered 1-12, combining

‘A gentlemanly gathering isn’t complete without fine cigars and novelty cigar lighters’ artistry with function. Made from sterling silver, they bear the 2022 Queen’s Jubilee mark, encapsulating quality. Housed in a shotgun cartridge-shaped case, this set embodies enduring craftsmanship, destined as a treasured heirloom. The group carefully selects their shooting position, ensuring each shot is taken with precision against the backdrop of nature's quiet grandeur. As the shoot comes to an end, antique silver hip flasks emerge. These vessels hold aged whisky and embody the essence of a

gentleman’s winter warmth. A hip flask is more than just an accessory – it is a symbol of preparedness, refined taste, and discreet indulgence. A gentlemanly gathering isn’t complete without fine cigars and novelty cigar lighters. Amid winter’s tranquillity, the flame creates a ceremonial indulgence. One cigar lighter, crafted over a century ago by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. of London, in the shape of a hunting horn, is a fitting complement to the distinguished affair at hand. Amid this refined sanctuary, camaraderie flourishes, weaving a tapestry of shotgun precision, exquisite drinks, and the lingering fragrance of cigars – an orchestration that etches enduring memories into the frost-kissed hills of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

ALEXANDER PUSHKIN

ACCESSORIES: Solid-silver butt markers

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Travel

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

How to bag the best holiday deals in 2024

MORE FOR LESS: Lesser known destinations, such as Minho in Portugal offer great value for family villa holidays

January is the peak period for planning getaways for the year ahead. Sarah Marshall asks the experts for advice on booking the best cruises, city breaks and holiday villas…

or many people, a new year means a new holiday allocation and the possibility of exciting plans for the 12 months ahead. January is historically the busiest season for booking breaks, but with budgets of increasing concern it’s important to plan carefully. To get the holiday you want at the right price, follow these expert tips.

The perfect cruise

“If you have your heart set on a specific ship, itinerary or cabin, then booking early will give you a higher chance to obtain lower prices,” says Tony Andrews, MD of Cruise. co.uk. “In fact, early bird prices can be up to 50 per cent less.” The type of cabin you choose can also have an impact on price. “If a sea view isn’t important, as the main purpose of your cabin is to sleep in it, choose an inside cabin or a cabin with an obstructed view, as this will take a considerable amount off the price,” he adds. The other option is to select a guaranteed cabin, which is allocated shortly before departure with the position and deck number chosen for you. Often these are available at a discounted rate. Booking an older ship also helps keep costs down. “If you’re interested in a particular destination and aren’t too worried about the ship you sail on, consider an older vessel,”

advises Andrews. “You’ll find its age is reflected in the price – although you can still take advantage of a comfortable sailing to your chosen holiday location.” Pre-paying tips and booking a cruise package – with drinks, activities, transfers and flights – also works out more economical. And being savvy with timings will also save you money. “Travellers will find better deals by avoiding peak times – such as summer, school holidays, Christmas and Easter – by

‘January is historically the busiest season for booking breaks, but with budgets of increasing concern it’s important to plan carefully’ sailing in the off-peak ‘shoulder season’ months of February, October and November,” says Andrews.

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Wednesday January 3 | 2024

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk Booking a repositioning cruise is another option. “When a ship sails from one area to the next in preparation for the new season, these ‘re-positioning’ cruises are still open to book up. They feature a majority of days on-board the ship rather than calling at different destinations but are available at a reduced cost,” Andrews adds.

The perfect city break

“Staying a Sunday through to Thursday night instead of Saturday brings the price right down and offers the best possible chance for an upgrade,” recommends the website Travelzoo. Being flexible is also important. Often, it’s possible to find deals for similar destinations with no crowds. Consider choosing different dates and alternative airports, and avoid popular destinations. “Consumers can find some great

All pictures Alamy/PA

Let’s go outside…

Molly Miller reveals why spending time in the great outdoors is just the tonic for the January blues… AS January, often dubbed the most challenging month of the year, sets in with its postChristmas blues, Bewl Water in Lamberhurst invites families to combat the gloom by immersing themselves in the great outdoors and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Activities such as walking and cycling are scientifically proven to stimulate the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, enhancing self-esteem, focus, and sleep. With its natural 800-acre landscape, Bewl Water stands out as the ideal destination for those seeking a healthier start to January, drawing over 140,000 visitors annually. Situated on the Kent and Sussex border, the reservoir provides expansive landscapes that cater to a variety of outdoor activities. Whether

engaging in open parkland exercises, cycling along woodland trails, taking the dog for a walk, or finding tranquillity on the water, the reservoir offers a refreshing backdrop to kickstart the new year. For little ones, there are two free outdoor playgrounds open daily from 8am to 5pm. These spots aren’t just fun, but they also help children improve balance and agility. With features like slides, climbing frames, a rocking boat, and a basket swing, these playgrounds provide a great environment for fostering creativity and enhancing mood through play in natural surroundings. If you’re up for some cycling, then five miles of the round-reservoir route is still open despite the cold weather conditions. While certain

sections have been temporarily closed for health and safety reasons, there are still 2.5 miles each way available, providing ample space for both beginners and seasoned cyclists. Whether you bring your own bike or take advantage of the 20 per cent discount on adult and children’s rentals, cycling not only supports heart health but also reduces stress and promotes a sense of freedom and relaxation. Additional activities include family-friendly self-guided walks and bird watching in the nature reserve. There’s also a free adventure trail that changes with the seasons, giving you a fresh reason to visit as the weather shifts. Ranger Bear’s Winter Quest encourages little ones to explore the woodlands, encouraging a love for nature and sparking their imagination as they hunt for hidden clues. Grab trail maps at the Waterfront Café, where you can also enjoy a healthy bite to eat from their lunch menu to refuel after a day outdoors.

Travel

holiday bargains if they try something new, particularly if an operator has just added a new destination to their programme,” say the Travelzoo team. And forget about the myth of last-minute bargains. It pays to be prepared and book early. Those who do can benefit from early-booking offers and incentives that are designed to pique interest. Many hotels bookable through Travelzoo are available on a voucher system. This enables consumers to secure their desired hotels at the best possible price.

The perfect villa break

“A great way to reduce the cost of a holiday is to double up with family friends or relatives – and add in some grandparents too – who can share costs and help with babysitting,” says Stephen Ellison, from villa with pool specialist Vintage Travel. “Although the big properties look expensive, guests find that by sharing the costs of the accommodation and self-catering cooking, it works out much better value.” In terms of location, he advises choosing overlooked spots such as Costa Verde and Minho in Northern Portugal, where there are great beaches and towns to explore at a much better price point than the Algarve. Similarly, he says in Galicia, the villas cost less than other parts of Spain. Another idea is to avoid renting four wheels by choosing somewhere that’s easily accessible by public transport. “With car hire worldwide at a premium, particularly in summer, we’ve noticed an increased interest in our ‘car not essential’ collection of properties,” says Ellison. “Guests can taxi from the airport then once installed in their villa, they can easily walk to the local amenities, hire bikes or make the most of the public transport links. Others choose France or northern Spain so they can drive direct from the UK.”

For those looking to explore water-based activities, Bewl Water offers options like canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, wing-foiling, and fishing. With club options and day passes available, water sports not only contribute to physical fitness but also foster mental wellbeing. The calming effects of water, coupled with the outdoor environment, can alleviate stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall mental health. For more details on the activities available in this new year, visit bewlwater.co.uk

GET OUTDOORS FOR YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING AT BEWL WATER • The 20 per cent off bike hire offer now applies to adult and children’s bikes • Currently the annual parking pass for Bewl is priced at just £65, making now the perfect time to purchase one

Motors

Wednesday January 3 | 2024

Electric Range Rover teased as waiting list opens LAND Rover is currently one of the largest car firms that has yet to sell an EV, but that will change in 2024 with the introduction of the Range Rover Electric. Officially teased for the first time to coincide with the opening of the waiting list for this new SUV, the Range Rover Electric is expected to closely resemble conventionally-powered versions but will get a range of unique touches to set it apart. These include a specific grille that is more ‘closed’ than petrol and diesel Range Rovers, along with a sliding charging flap. Specific wheel designs with an ‘EV’ emblem have also been displayed. Land Rover says its first EV is the ‘most anticipated Range Rover of recent times’, and though it has not revealed any official powertrain or range details, it has said that performance will be ‘comparable to a flagship Range Rover V8’ – which produces a generous 606bhp. A range of more than 300 miles is likely, with a huge battery likely to be used. Prototypes of the Range Rover Electric are already on the road, with testing said to be taking place everywhere from ‘Sweden to Dubai’. Thomas Muller, Executive Director of Product

Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), says it will be the ‘quietest and most refined Range Rover’. Muller added: “The magic ingredients that underpin the success of Range Rover remain unchanged: timeless, reductionist design, a serene cabin and go-anywhere capability – but now offered with zero tailpipe emissions.

Luxury “And as repeated throughout history, the Range Rover will continue to set the standard. The first of its type. An electric luxury SUV that can deliver on the Range Rover promise. A true global luxury product, as yet unseen in the industry.” The firm is ensuring that the Range Rover’s typical off-roading ability isn’t lost with this electric model and has said that its towing ability, wading and all-terrain technology will ‘surpass all other electric SUVs’. Production of the Range Rover Electric will take place in Solihull, West Midlands, alongside existing versions of the SUV. Further information about the new EV is expected in the coming months.

Picture: Land Rover

£3m Bugatti bought as a 70th birthday present BESPOKE: The Bugatti Chiron 57 One Of One (right) and the Type 57 SC Atlantic that inspired it

Picture: Bugatti

Bentley and Ducati launch limited-edition motorcycle BENTLEY and Ducati have partnered to create a limited-edition motorcycle. Just 500 examples of the Ducati Diavel for Bentley will be produced, with each motorcycle drawing inspiration from Bentley’s Batur. Just 18 examples of that high-end sports car will be created, too, meaning that both the Diavel and Batur share a similarly limited-run nature. The run of 500 motorcycles will be added to with an extra 50 ‘even more special’ Ducati Diavel for Bentley Mulliner examples which are reserved for existing Bentley customers and bring added personalisation. However, the ‘regular’ Diavel for Bentley features a high level of customisation too. Built in collaboration with Ducati’s Centro Stile design team, the special motorcycle is finished in a Scarab Green colour sourced directly from Bentley’s Mulliner palette. Plus, the forged wheels made bespoke for the motorcycle are finished in a contrast Dark Titanium Satin, with the rear wheel mirroring that of the

Bentley GT car. The side air intakes reflect the two-tone grille of the Batur, while the triangular rear extractors also mimic elements at the rear of the car. The seat is finished in black Alcantara leather, too, with an underlying red fabric which is the same as the Batur’s seats. The Bentley logo features on the rear pad, too. Each motorcycle is delivered to its owner with a certificate of authenticity alongside a passenger seat and a motorcycle cover. There’s a production number on a plate inside the carbon fibre cover of the vertical head, too, while a special ‘capsule collection’ allows new owners to buy a variety of clothing elements such as a helmet and jacket which have been created to reflect the colour scheme of the bike. Bentley and Ducati both fall under the same Volkswagen Group umbrella and Ducati has previously built another motorcycle with a Volkswagen Group car manufacturer – Lamborghini.

BUGATTI has shown off its latest bespoke hypercar, which was a husband’s gift to his wife for her 70th birthday. The Chiron Super Sport, costing more than £3m and produced in limited numbers, is already a rare car on its own. But one customer had a dream to create a bespoke version based on a highly rare and valuable Bugatti – a one-of-four Type 57 SC Atlantic – she had seen 20 years earlier at the Mullin Automotive Museum in California.

Classic The unnamed customer – based in the US – invited his wife for her 70th birthday to visit Bugatti’s headquarters in Molsheim, France, where she would remember the first time she’d seen the classic car and sit down with Jascha Straub, lead designer at Bugatti’s special Sur Mesure division. Over a year, the idea would come to reality, with a host of details created to make this a true ‘one-off’ Bugatti. Straub said: “During her visit, when we passed a scale model of the Type 57 SC – the very first Atlantic and the exact one she had seen all those years ago – there was an immediate spark of recognition between us that this is the direction we should take. “The customer’s enthusiasm and active engagement throughout the whole design

process were a constant source of inspiration. Her perspective, rooted in a profound respect for Bugatti’s heritage, and driven by a desire to craft an authentic homage, guided us in creating a vehicle that stands at the intersection of history and innovative engineering.” Painted in the same silver-blue colour as the classic 1930s Bugatti, the modern-day Chiron also features a unique ‘horseshoe’ grille that harks back to the original. Polished five-spoke alloy wheels are also used for the Chiron, along with a range of chrome accents. The underside of the car’s spoiler also features a hand-drawn silhouette of the Atlantic. The personalisation continues to the interior, with a Gaucho leather selected, and a handstitched silhouette of the classic car on the door panels and centre console. The Super Sport is one of the more extreme versions of Bugatti’s Chiron hypercar, and was made following the firm breaking through the 300mph barrier. It features an extended body, with its mighty 8.0-litre W12 engine producing 1,578bhp and enabling a top speed limited to 273mph. Bugatti says the 57 One Of One, as this Chiron is named, will ‘achieve the same iconic status as its predecessor’ in the coming years, but that the customer is currently ‘enjoying her Bugatti driving experience’ on a US grand tour.

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27/06/2023 13:10